flagellation
[flaj-uh-ley-shuh n]
- the act or process of flagellating.
- a masochistic or sadistic act in which the participants receive erotic stimulation from whipping or being whipped.
Origin of flagellation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for self-flagellation
Contemporary Examples
Watching Federer play tennis is still a religious experience, in the self-flagellation sort of way.
When Meredith finally kicks Walter out, he resorts to self-flagellation before attempting to commit suicide.
That kind of sex is drama sex, sex charged with regret and self-flagellation.
Word Origin and History for self-flagellation
flagellation
n.
early 15c., "the scourging of Christ," from French flagellation or directly from Latin flagellationem (nominative flagellatio) "a scourging," from past participle stem of flagellare (see flagellum).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
flagellation
(flăj′ə-lā′shən)
- Whipping oneself or another as a means of arousing or heightening sexual feeling.
- The flagellar arrangement on an organism.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.