Trauma
/ˈtrɔː.mə/noun
A deeply distressing or disturbing experience.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, trauma was not just physical injury but also a metaphor for emotional wounds, linking the body and mind in profound ways.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
τραῦμα (trauma)
“A physical wound or injury.”
Latin
Latin
trauma
“The same as in Greek, referring to a wound.”
Old French
Old French
trauma
“Adopted directly from Latin, retaining its meaning of wound.”
Middle English
Middle English
trauma
“Used to denote both physical and emotional wounds.”
Modern English
English
trauma
“Refers broadly to both psychological distress and physical injury.”