flagellation
[flaj-uh-ley-shuh n]
- the act or process of flagellating.
- a masochistic or sadistic act in which the participants receive erotic stimulation from whipping or being whipped.
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Origin of flagellation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for self-flagellation
retribution, penitence, repentance, contrition, remorse, atonement, forgiveness, absolution, penance, compunction, mortification, sorrow, confession, compensation, rue, penalty, suffering, purgation, attrition, ruthExamples from the Web for self-flagellation
Contemporary Examples of self-flagellation
Watching Federer play tennis is still a religious experience, in the self-flagellation sort of way.
When Meredith finally kicks Walter out, he resorts to self-flagellation before attempting to commit suicide.
That kind of sex is drama sex, sex charged with regret and self-flagellation.
Word Origin and History for self-flagellation
flagellation
early 15c., "the scourging of Christ," from French flagellation or directly from Latin flagellationem (nominative flagellatio) "a scourging," from past participle stem of flagellare (see flagellum).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
flagellation
(flăj′ə-lā′shən)- Whipping oneself or another as a means of arousing or heightening sexual feeling.
- The flagellar arrangement on an organism.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.