masochism
playSimple Definition of masochism
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: enjoyment of pain : pleasure that someone gets from being abused or hurt; especially : sexual enjoyment from being hurt or punished
Full Definition of masochism
1 : a sexual perversion characterized by pleasure in being subjected to pain or humiliation especially by a love object — compare sadism
2 : pleasure in being abused or dominated : a taste for suffering
What is the Difference Between the Words masochism & sadism?
Masochism and sadism are both about the enjoyment of pain. Masochism refers to the enjoyment of experiencing pain while sadism refers to the enjoyment of inflicting pain on someone else.
Interestingly, both masochism and sadism are eponymous words. English has thousands of such words, taken from the names of people both real and fictional. Masochism comes from the name of the 19th century German novelist, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. It is unusual in that it began to be used during the lifetime of the man from whom it originated (Sacher-Masoch died in 1895, and masochism had been in printed use since 1892). Sadism comes from the name of the French writer, the Marquis de Sade (1740-1814).
The two words are not only often encountered in connection with one another, they have been combined into a single word, sadomasochism.
Origin and Etymology of masochism
International Scientific Vocabulary, from Leopold von Sacher-Masoch †1895 German novelist
First Known Use: 1892
Other Psychology Terms
Rhymes with masochism
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Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of masochism
: a sexual perversion characterized by pleasure in being subjected to pain or humiliation especially by a love object—compare algolagnia, sadism
Biographical Note for masochism
Sacher–Masoch
\ˈzäḵ-ər-ˈmäz-ȯḵ\play , Leopold von
(1836–1895), Austrian novelist. Sacher-Masoch is most famous for his erotic novels. In these novels the characters dwell at length on sexual pleasure derived from pain. The subject matter reflects Sacher-Masoch's personal life. He had two wives and several mistresses with whom he acted out the sexual fantasies described in his fictional works. By 1893 masochism was an established medical term.
Learn More about masochism
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Spanish Central: Translation of masochism Nglish: Translation of masochism for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about masochism
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