[trau.ma] n, pl traumas also trau.ma.ta [Gk traumat-, trauma wound, alter. of troma; akin to Gk titroskein to wound, tetrainein to pierce--more at throw] (ca. 1693) 1 a: an injury (as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent "surgical ~" 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 -- trau.mat.ic adj -- trau.mat.i.cal.ly adv