masochism

/ˈmæs.ə.kɪ.zəm/

MÆS · ə · kɪ · zəm (4 syllables)

English Noun
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Definition

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

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.

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