masochism

masochism
—masochist, n. —masochistic, adj. —masochistically, adv.
/mas"euh kiz'euhm, maz"-/, n.
1. Psychiatry. the condition in which sexual gratification depends on suffering, physical pain, and humiliation.
2. gratification gained from pain, deprivation, degradation, etc., inflicted or imposed on oneself, either as a result of one's own actions or the actions of others, esp. the tendency to seek this form of gratification.
3. the act of turning one's destructive tendencies inward or upon oneself.
4. the tendency to find pleasure in self-denial, submissiveness, etc.
[1890-95; named after L. von SACHER-MASOCH, who described it; see -ISM]

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Psychosexual disorder in which an individual achieves erotic release by being subjected to pain or humiliation.

The term is derived from the name of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, a 19th-century Austrian novelist who wrote extensively about the sexual enjoyment he derived from verbal and physical abuse. The amount of pain involved can vary; it is usually sought out and to some degree controlled by the masochist. Masochistic and sadistic traits often occur in the same individual.

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▪ psychosexual disorder
      psychosexual disorder in which erotic release is achieved through having pain inflicted on oneself. The term derives from the name of Chevalier Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, an Austrian who wrote extensively about the satisfaction he gained by being beaten and subjugated. The amount of pain involved can vary from ritual humiliation with little violence to severe whipping or beating; generally the masochist retains some control over the situation and will end the abusive behaviour before becoming seriously injured. While pain may cause a certain amount of sexual excitement in many persons, for the masochist it becomes the chief end of sexual activity. The term is frequently used in a looser social context in which masochism is defined as the behaviour of one who seeks out and enjoys situations of humiliation or abuse.

      Masochism as an isolated trait is fairly rare. More commonly, the association of pain with sexual pleasure takes the form of both masochism and sadism (q.v.), the obtaining of sexual pleasure through inflicting pain on others. Often, an individual will alternate roles, becoming aroused through the experience of pain in one instance and through the infliction of pain in another.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • masochism — MASOCHÍSM s.n. Perversiune sexuală caracterizată prin apariţia plăcerii sexuale numai în urma producerii unei dureri fizice. – Din fr. masochisme. Trimis de RACAI, 30.09.2003. Sursa: DEX 98  masochísm s. n. [ so pron. germ. zo ] Trimis de siveco …   Dicționar Român

  • masochism — sexual pleasure in being hurt or abused, 1892, from Ger. Masochismus, coined 1883 by German neurologist Richard von Krafft Ebing (1840 1902), from name of Leopold von Sacher Masoch (1836 1895), Austrian utopian socialist novelist who enshrined… …   Etymology dictionary

  • masochism — ► NOUN ▪ the tendency to derive pleasure from one s own pain or humiliation. DERIVATIVES masochist noun masochistic adjective. ORIGIN named after Leopold von Sacher Masoch (1835 95), the Austrian novelist who described it …   English terms dictionary

  • masochism — [mas′ə kiz΄əm, maz′ə kiz΄əm] n. [after Leopold von Sacher Masoch (1835 95), Austrian writer in whose stories it is described] 1. the getting of sexual pleasure from being dominated, mistreated, or hurt physically or otherwise by one s partner 2.… …   English World dictionary

  • Masochism —    See also Sadism.    In our own time, masochism has taken on three meanings: (1) the voluntary acceptance of suffering; (2) in psychoanalysis, an intrapsychic mechanism for dealing with anxiety; (3) a kind of sex play among consenting adults… …   Historical dictionary of Psychiatry

  • masochism — [[t]mæ̱səkɪzəm[/t]] 1) N UNCOUNT Masochism is behaviour in which someone gets sexual pleasure from their own pain or suffering. The tendency towards masochism is however always linked with elements of sadism. Ant: sadism Derived words: masochist… …   English dictionary

  • masochism — noun … OF MASOCHISM ▪ act PHRASES ▪ a form of masochism, a kind of masochism …   Collocations dictionary

  • masochism — mas|o|chis|m [ˈmæsəkızəm] n [U] [Date: 1800 1900; Origin: Leopold von Sacher Masoch (1836 95), Austrian writer who described such sexual behavior] 1.) sexual behaviour in which someone gains pleasure from being hurt or punished →↑sadism, sado… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Masochism —    , MASOCHIST    The word masochism comes to us courtesy of Chevalier Leopold von Sacher Masoch (.1836 1895), Austrian novelist. Sacher Masoch did not invent masochism, but it was a recurring theme in his novels and he can certainly be credited… …   Dictionary of eponyms

  • Masochism — Pleasure from one s own pain. Masochism is considered a sexual disorder, or paraphilia. Named after the 19th century Austrian writer Leopold von Sacher Masoch (masoch ism). * * * 1. Passive algolagnia; a form of perversion, often sexual in nature …   Medical dictionary

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