onanism
Americannoun
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withdrawal of the penis in sexual intercourse so that ejaculation takes place outside the vagina; coitus interruptus.
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the gratification or satisfaction of one's own needs or desires.
Choosing to endlessly split hairs about abstractions is little better than intellectual onanism.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of onanism
First recorded in 1720–30; after Onan, son of Judah (Genesis 38:9); see -ism
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.
The term onanism is derived from the name of Onan, son of Juda and Suah and grandson of Israel.
From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
