masochism
[ mas-uh-kiz-uh m, maz- ]
/ ˈmæs əˌkɪz əm, ˈmæz- /
noun
Psychiatry. the condition in which sexual gratification depends on suffering physical pain or humiliation.
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, especially the tendency to seek this form of gratification.
the act of turning one's destructive tendencies inward or upon oneself.
the tendency to find pleasure in self-denial, submissiveness, etc.
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Origin of masochism
1890–95; named after L. von Sacher-Masoch, who described it; see -ism
OTHER WORDS FROM masochism
mas·och·ist, nounWords nearby masochism
masking piece, masking tape, maskinonge, maslin, maslow, masochism, masochist, masochistic, masochistic personality, mason, mason bee
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for masochism
British Dictionary definitions for masochism
masochism
/ (ˈmæsəˌkɪzəm) /
noun
psychiatry an abnormal condition in which pleasure, esp sexual pleasure, is derived from pain or from humiliation, domination, etc, by another person
psychoanal the directing towards oneself of any destructive tendencies
a tendency to take pleasure from one's own sufferingCompare sadism
Derived forms of masochism
masochist, noun, adjectivemasochistic, adjectivemasochistically, adverbWord Origin for masochism
C19: named after Leopold von Sacher Masoch (1836–95), Austrian novelist, who described it
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for masochism
masochism
[ măs′ə-kĭz′əm ]
n.
The act or an instance of deriving sexual gratification from being physically or emotionally abused.
A psychological disorder in which sexual gratification is derived from being physically or emotionally abused.
The act or an instance of deriving pleasure from being offended, dominated, or mistreated.
The tendency to seek such mistreatment.
Other words from masochism
mas′och•ist n.mas′och•is′tic adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cultural definitions for masochism
masochism
[ (mas-uh-kiz-uhm) ]
Abnormal behavior characterized by deriving sexual gratification from being subjected to pain. More loosely, masochism refers to deriving any pleasure from experiencing pain. (Compare sadism.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.