onanism

American  

[oh-nuh-niz-uhm] / ˈoʊ nəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. withdrawal of the penis in sexual intercourse so that ejaculation takes place outside the vagina; coitus interruptus.

2. masturbation.

3. the gratification or satisfaction of one's own needs or desires.

   Choosing to endlessly split hairs about abstractions is little better than intellectual onanism.

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onanism British  

/ ˈəʊnəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. another name for masturbation coitus interruptus

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Other Word Forms

• onanist noun
• onanistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of onanism

First recorded in 1720–30; after Onan, son of Judah (Genesis 38:9); -ism

Example Sentences

But while this witless slurry of onanism and conspiracy theories is certainly laughable, it is never, for one second, even remotely funny.

From New York Times

It features onanism, graphic violence, and – here’s the kicker – a woman procreating with a sea creature.

From The Guardian

One sketch describes how, with a towel and rubber glove, a serviceman can fashion a home-made aid to onanism.

From Economist

I was also surprised to discover that the story of Onan isn’t actually about onanism, and that King Solomon, the wisest of all the kings, ended his days turning against God.

From New York Times

As I wrote then: “Cinema has long served as a vehicle for male onanism, a space in which male fantasies about sexual power over women are expressed on screen and enacted behind the camera.”

From New York Times