battered woman syndrome

noun

: the highly variable symptom complex of physical and psychological injuries exhibited by a woman repeatedly abused especially physically by her mate

called also battered woman's syndrome, battered wife syndrome, battered women's syndrome

Examples of battered woman syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ibn-Tamas was sentenced to one to five years of prison with credit for time served in what became a hallmark case for battered woman syndrome. —Tara Kavaler, The Arizona Republic, 31 Dec. 2022

Ibn-Tamas’s appeal marked one of the first significant steps toward judicial recognition of battered woman syndrome, and her case has been the subject of numerous academic studies. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

battered woman syndrome

noun

battered wom·​an syndrome -ˈwu̇-mən-, -ˈwō-, -ˈwə- 

variants also battered woman's syndrome

-mənz- 

: the highly variable symptom complex of physical and psychological injuries exhibited by a woman repeatedly abused especially physically by her mate

called also battered wife syndrome, battered women's syndrome

Legal Definition

battered woman syndrome

noun

battered wo·​man syndrome

: the psychological symptoms suffered by a woman repeatedly abused by a mate (as a husband)

called also battered woman's syndrome

Note: Battered woman syndrome is used as a defense to violent criminal charges (as homicide). Evidence of repeated abuse is used to show that the defendant acted in self-defense even though the threat or danger was not imminent. Battered woman syndrome is also used as a mitigating factor in sentencing.