trauma
n.-
1 emotional wound (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Psychologya very upsetting or scary experience that causes long-term mental or emotional pain.
a psychological injury resulting from a deeply distressing or life-threatening event. Often uncountable when referring to the state of mind, but countable when referring to specific incidents.
ExampleIt took her many years to recover from the trauma of the accident.
ExampleChildhood trauma can have profound effects on adult relationships if the underlying emotional wounds are not addressed through professional therapy.
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2 physical injury (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Medicinea serious physical injury to the body, usually caused by an accident or violence.
severe physical injury caused by an external source. Frequently used in medical contexts to describe the physical damage itself.
ExampleThe hospital has a special unit for patients with severe head trauma.
ExampleThe emergency room team was prepared to treat multiple blunt force traumas following the multi-vehicle collision on the highway.
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3 a distressing event (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatean event that is very difficult, stressful, or unpleasant to deal with.
an event or experience that causes significant distress or upheaval. Often used more broadly in non-clinical contexts to describe any major negative life event.
ExampleMoving house can be a real trauma for some people.
ExampleThe sudden closure of the factory was a trauma for the entire town, as hundreds of families lost their primary source of income overnight.
From Ancient Greek τραῦμα (traûma, “wound, damage”).
- Nountrauma
- Adjectivetraumatic