Etymology Map
Back to all words

Trauma

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a deeply distressing experience; a physical injury

Where does the word "trauma" come from? It comes from Greek trauma, adopted directly into English (1690s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
trauma
Greek · ancient
"wound"
Greek, related to 'titrōskein', to wound
2
Stage 2 of 2
trauma
English · 1690s
"physical wound"
psychological 'trauma' dates from the 1890s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Trauma’s story begins in Greek: trauma meant “wound.” Greek, related to 'titrōskein', to wound. It reached English by 1690s as trauma. Psychological 'trauma' dates from the 1890s. Today, trauma means a deeply distressing experience; a physical injury.