battered woman syndrome

[ bat-erd woom-uhn sin-drohm ]

noun

1. the array of physical and psychological injuries exhibited by women battered women, or battered wivesbattered womanbattered wife who have been beaten repeatedly or otherwise abused by their partners or spouses.

Word History and Origins

Origin of battered woman syndrome¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

“I had talked the defense into portraying her act under the ‘battered woman syndrome,’” Speckhard recalls.

From The Daily Beast