flagellation
Americannoun
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the act or process of flagellating.
-
a masochistic or sadistic act in which the participants receive erotic stimulation from whipping or being whipped.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of flagellation
1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin flagellātiōn-, stem of flagellātiō. See flagellate, -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“There is so much flagellation as an artist; I need to be constantly throwing myself onto the ground for my work,” Hills said, adding that time in the spa has been a gift.
From New York Times ● Mar. 23, 2023
Perhaps that sounds more like flagellation than it does fandom, but I’ve heard this point brought up by multiple people over the past few days.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2022
Zuckerberg was summoned for his first flagellation in 2018 following the Cambridge Analytica imbroglio.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 17, 2020
It's misleading to give the impression that that therefore is a kind of voluntary flagellation of some kind because for me, it's really important to make the distinction that this work is a joyful thing.
From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2013
They involved doing penance for a sin not yet committed, intense and fervent penance accompanied by scourging and flagellation, so as to build up, as it were, a store of credit.
From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
