traumatic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective of or relating to a physical injury or wound to the body
  2. adjective satellite psychologically painful;
    • few experiences are more traumatic than losing a child

WordNet

Trau*mat"ic adjective
Etymology
L. traumaticus, Gr. , from , , a wound: cf. F. traumatique.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) (a) Of or pertaining to wounds; applied to wounds. Coxe. (b) Adapted to the cure of wounds; vulnerary. Wiseman. (c) Produced by wounds; as, traumatic tetanus. -- n. A traumatic medicine. also applied figuratively to mental harm, and to experiences causing severe mental upset.

Webster 1913