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

Examples of TRAUMA

1. She never fully recovered from the traumas she suffered during her childhood.
2. She never fully recovered from the trauma of her experiences.
3. an accident victim with severe head trauma
4. repeated trauma to a knee
5. 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

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

trau·ma

noun \ˈtrȯ-mə, ˈtrau̇-\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural traumas also trau·ma·ta \-mət-ə\

Medical Definition of TRAUMA

1

a : an injury (as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent <surgical trauma> <the intra-abdominal organs at greatest risk to athletic trauma are the spleen, pancreas, and kidney—M. R. Eichelberger>—see blunt trauma b : a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from mental or emotional stress or physical injury

2

: an agent, force, or mechanism that causes trauma