battered woman's syndrome

Main Entry: battered wo·man's syndrome
Function: noun
: the psychological symptoms suffered by a woman repeatedly abused by a mate (as a husband)
NOTE: Battered woman's 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's syndrome is also used as a mitigating factor in sentencing.