battered woman syndrome

Main Entry: battered wom·an syndrome
Pronunciation: -'wu-m&n-, -'wO-, -'w&-
Variant: also battered wom·an's syndrome /-m&nz-/
Function: noun
: the highly variable symptom complex of physical and psychological injuries exhibited by a woman repeatedly abused especially physically by her mate called alsobattered wife syndrome, battered women's syndrome

battered woman syndrome n.
A pattern of signs and symptoms, such as fear and a perceived inability to escape, appearing in women who are physically and mentally abused over an extended period by a husband or other dominant individual.