First Known Use: circa 1693
Dictionary
trauma
noun trau·ma \ˈtrau̇-mə, ˈtrȯ-\
: a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time
medical : a serious injury to a person's body
plural traumas also trau·ma·ta \-mə-tə\
Full 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
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Origin of TRAUMA
Greek traumat-, trauma wound, alteration of trōma; akin to Greek titrōskein to wound, tetrainein to pierce — more at throw
Other Psychology Terms
Medical Dictionary
trauma
noun trau·ma \ˈtrȯ-mə, ˈtrau̇-\
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
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