child-battering

[ chahyld-bat-er-ing ]

noun

1. the physical abuse of a child by a parent or guardian, as by beating.

Other Words From

• child-batter·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of child-battering¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

To the extent that multiple personalities are understood, it seems that Sybil's mind began creating alternative personages as a defense against her mother, who was a sadistic, child-battering schizophrenic.

From Time Magazine Archive