masochism

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masochism

masochism , sexual disorder in which sexual arousal is derived from subjection to physical and emotional degradation. A type of paraphilia (see perversion, sexual ), masochism is explained in psychoanalysis as a destructive attitude in which the individual turns inward upon himself instead of outward upon others. It is coupled with sadism, in which sexual pleasure is derived from the infliction of pain or humiliation. The word masochism was suggested by Austrian novelist Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose books depicted this abnormality. In recent years, a number of theorists have suggested that sadomasochism can be a healthy form of sexual arousal among consenting individuals.

Bibliography: See T. Weinberg and G. L. W. Kamel, S & M: Studies in Sadomasochism (1983); R. Glick and D. Meyers, Masochism (1987).

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masochism

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | © The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2009, originally published by Oxford University Press 2009. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

mas·och·ism / ˈmasəˌkizəm; ˈmaz-/ • n. the tendency to derive pleasure, esp. sexual gratification, from one's own pain or humiliation. ∎ (in general use) the enjoyment of what appears to be painful or tiresome: isn't there some masochism involved in taking on this kind of project? DERIVATIVES: mas·och·ist n. mas·och·is·tic / ˌmasəˈkistik; ˌmaz-/ adj. mas·och·is·ti·cal·ly / ˌmasəˈkistik(ə)lē; ˌmaz-/ adv.

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masochism

A Dictionary of Nursing | 2008 | © A Dictionary of Nursing 2008, originally published by Oxford University Press 2008. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

masochism (mas-ŏ-kizm) n. sexual pleasure derived from the experience of pain. See sexual deviation.
—masochist n. —masochistic adj.

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