battered child syndrome

noun

: the complex of physical injuries sustained by a grossly abused child

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for battered child syndrome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome

Medical Definition

battered child syndrome

noun

bat·​tered child syndrome ˌbat-ərd- 

: the complex of physical injuries (as fractures, hematomas, and contusions) that results from gross abuse (as by a parent) of a young child compare shaken baby syndrome

Legal Definition

battered child syndrome

noun

bat·​tered child syn·​drome

-ˈsin-ˌdrōm, -drəm

: the combination of grave physical injuries (as broken bones and bruises) that results from gross child abuse

Note: Evidence of battered child syndrome is often used to establish that a child's death was not accidental.