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definitions

self-abuse

[ self-uh-byoos, self- ]
/ ˈsɛlf əˈbyus, ˌsɛlf- /
|

noun

reproach or blame of oneself.
abuse of one's health.
masturbation.

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Nearby words

self-abandonment, self-abasement, self-abnegation, self-absorbed, self-absorption, self-abuse, self-acting, self-actualization, self-actualize, self-addressed, self-adhesive

Origin of self-abuse

First recorded in 1595–1605
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for self-abuse

British Dictionary definitions for self-abuse

self-abuse

noun

disparagement or misuse of one's own abilities, etc
a censorious term for masturbationSee masturbation
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

Word Origin and History for self-abuse

self-abuse

n.

c.1600, "self-deception," from self- + abuse (n.). As a synonym for "masturbation," it is recorded from 1728; an earlier term was self-pollution (1620s).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for self-abuse

self-abuse

n.

Abuse of oneself or one's abilities.
Masturbation.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.