onanism

noun

onan·​ism ˈō-nə-ˌni-zəm 

1

: masturbation

2

: coitus interruptus

3

: self-gratification

the kind of intellectual onanism to which he was dedicated

—Esther P. Shiverick

onanistic

ˌō-nə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Examples of onanism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Writing is such a solitary art — onanism with words — that only the most perverse would want someone watching the act. —Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin onanismus, from Onan, son of Judah (Genesis 38:9)

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

onanism

noun

onan·​ism ˈō-nə-ˌniz-əm 

1

: masturbation

2

: coitus interruptus

onanistic

ˌō-nə-ˈnis-tik 

adjective