Stockholm syndrome

Stock·holm syndrome

noun \ˈstäk-ˌhō(l)m-\

Definition of STOCKHOLM SYNDROME

: the psychological tendency of a hostage to bond with, identify with, or sympathize with his or her captor

Origin of STOCKHOLM SYNDROME

from a 1973 robbery attempt in Stockholm, Sweden, during which bank employees held hostage developed sympathetic feelings toward their captors

First Known Use: 1978

Rhymes with STOCKHOLM SYNDROME

China Syndrome, detention home, Gulf War syndrome, Mercurochrome, X chromosome, Y chromosome