algolagnia

noun

al·​go·​lag·​nia ˌal-gō-ˈlag-nē-ə How to pronounce algolagnia (audio)
: a perversion (such as sadism or masochism) characterized by pleasure and especially sexual gratification in inflicting or suffering pain
algolagniac noun

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Algolagnie, from Greek álgos "pain" + -o- -o- + lágnos "sexually aroused, lecherous" (derivative from a base lag- seen also in lagarós "loose-limbed, flexible," going back to *sl̥g-ro-, from an Indo-European base *sl-ǵ-) + German -ie -ia entry 1 — more at -algia, slack entry 1

Note: The term was introduced by the German psychiatrist Albert von Schrenk-Notzing (1862-1929) in Die Suggestions-Therapie bei krankhaften Erscheinungen des Geschlechtssinnes (Stuttgart, 1892), p. 125.

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of algolagnia was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near algolagnia

Cite this Entry

“Algolagnia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/algolagnia. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

algolagnia

noun
al·​go·​lag·​nia ˌal-gō-ˈlag-nē-ə How to pronounce algolagnia (audio)
: a perversion (as masochism or sadism) in which pleasure and especially sexual gratification is obtained by inflicting or suffering pain
algolagnic adjective
Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!