English Explanatory Dictionary

masochism

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The (often sexual) enjoyment of receiving pain or humiliation.

Pronunciation

/ˈmæs.ə.kɪ.zəm/ /ˈmæz.ə.kɪ.zəm/ en-us-masochism.ogg en-au-masochism.ogg

Word forms

masochism masochisms

Etymology

From German Masochismus, coined alongside Sadismus in 1886 by Richard von Krafft-Ebing in his book Psychopathia Sexualis. Named after Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose novel "Venus in Furs" explores a sadomasochistic relationship, + -ism.

Synonyms

algophilia

Antonyms

sadism

Related words

sadism

Derived words

ethnomasochism masochist masochistic sadomasochism
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