trauma
trau·ma
noun \ˈtrau̇-mə, ˈtrȯ-\ plural traumas also trau·ma·ta\-mə-tə\
Definition of TRAUMA
1
a : an injury (as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent b : a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury c : an emotional upset <the personal trauma of an executive who is not living up to his own expectations — Karen W. Arenson>
2
: an agent, force, or mechanism that causes trauma
— trau·mat·ic \trə-ˈma-tik, trȯ-, trau̇-\ adjective
— trau·mat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See Examples of TRAUMA
- She never fully recovered from the traumas she suffered during her childhood.
- She never fully recovered from the trauma of her experiences.
- an accident victim with severe head trauma
- repeated trauma to a knee
- The accident victim sustained multiple traumas.
Origin of TRAUMA
Greek traumat-, trauma wound, alteration of trōma; akin to Greek titrōskein to wound, tetrainein to pierce — more at throw
First Known Use: circa 1693
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