algolagnia

noun

al·​go·​lag·​nia ˌal-gō-ˈlag-nē-ə How to pronounce algolagnia (audio)
: a perversion (such as sadism or masochism) characterized by pleasure and especially sexual gratification in inflicting or suffering pain
algolagniac
ˌal-gō-ˈlag-nē-ˌak How to pronounce algolagnia (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Algolagnie, from Greek álgos "pain" + -o- -o- + lágnos "sexually aroused, lecherous" (derivative from a base lag- seen also in lagarós "loose-limbed, flexible," going back to *sl̥g-ro-, from an Indo-European base *sl-ǵ-) + German -ie -ia entry 1 — more at -algia, slack entry 1

Note: The term was introduced by the German psychiatrist Albert von Schrenk-Notzing (1862-1929) in Die Suggestions-Therapie bei krankhaften Erscheinungen des Geschlechtssinnes (Stuttgart, 1892), p. 125.

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of algolagnia was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near algolagnia

Algol

algolagnia

algology

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Cite this Entry

“Algolagnia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/algolagnia. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

algolagnia

noun
al·​go·​lag·​nia ˌal-gō-ˈlag-nē-ə How to pronounce algolagnia (audio)
: a perversion (as masochism or sadism) in which pleasure and especially sexual gratification is obtained by inflicting or suffering pain
algolagnic
-nik How to pronounce algolagnia (audio)
adjective
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