The restoration of memories, especially of childhood sexual abuse, that had apparently been lost or suppressed, occurring during psychotherapy or psychoanalysis (frequently in "recovered memory syndrome"); a specific memory that had apparently been lost or suppressed.
Origin
1940s.
Definition of recovered memory in US English:
recovered memory
noun
The restoration of memories, especially of childhood sexual abuse, that had apparently been lost or suppressed, occurring during psychotherapy or psychoanalysis (frequently in "recovered memory syndrome"); a specific memory that had apparently been lost or suppressed.