masochism

masochism definition - medical

mas·och·ism (măsˈə-kĭzˌəm)

noun
  1. The act or an instance of deriving sexual gratification from being physically or emotionally abused.
  2. A psychological disorder in which sexual gratification is derived from being physically or emotionally abused.
  3. The act or an instance of deriving pleasure from being offended, dominated, or mistreated.
  4. The tendency to seek such mistreatment.

Related Forms:

  • masˈoch·ist noun

Related Forms:

  • masˌoch·isˈtic adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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