trauma

A trauma is a very upsetting experience or the lingering effects of such an experience. (noun)

An example of a trauma is witnessing a murder.

See trauma in Webster's New World College Dictionary

Med. a bodily injury, wound, or shock
Psychiatry a painful emotional experience, or shock, often producing a lasting psychic effect and, sometimes, a neurosis

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See trauma in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(trôˈmə, trouˈ-)

noun pl. trau·mas or trau·ma·ta (-mə-tə)

A serious injury or shock to the body, as from violence or an accident.
An emotional wound or shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to the psychological development of a person, often leading to neurosis.
An event or situation that causes great distress and disruption.

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Learn more about trauma

» trauma synonyms

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