masochism
/ˈmasəkɪz(ə)m
/noun [mass noun]
1The tendency to derive sexual gratification from one’s own pain or humiliation: with things such as bondage and masochism, it’s all right if you both go for it...
- His eyes widened as he read about sadism and masochism, bondage and domination.
- There are different theories related to sexual masochism, many stemming from the psychoanalytic camp.
- Though the pursuit of sexual ecstasy through pain is seen as masochism, as a perversion, Bataille argues that this is one example of liberation through surrender.
1.1(In general use) the enjoyment of an activity that appears to be painful or tedious: there’s plenty to do when the weather turns moorland walks into exercises in masochism...
- I always knew you had to be a bit of a sadist to cook - after all, you have to beat the eggs and whip the cream - but now cooking is an exercise in masochism as well.
- Supporting the modern multiplex is an exercise in commercial masochism.
- There is nothing quite like following Oasis as an exercise in masochism.
Origin
Late 19th century: named after Leopold von Sacher- Masoch (1835–95), the Austrian novelist who described it, + -ism.
Sexual pleasure derived from pain features in several stories by the 19th-century Austrian writer Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. The German term Masochismus was used in 1890, and by 1892 English had adopted it as masochism. See also sadism