Sadism

sadism

Psychosexual disorder in which sexual urges are gratified by inflicting pain on another person. The term was coined in reference to the marquis de Sade, who chronicled his own such practices. Sadism is often linked to masochism, and many individuals who have one tendency also have the other.

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sadism [′sā‚diz·əm]

(psychology)

Sexual perversion in which one derives pleasure from inflicting physical or mental cruelty upon another.

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Sadism 

in medicine, a sexual perversion in which sexual satisfaction is achieved by causing the partner psychological (through degradation or humiliation) or physical suffering. It is named for the French writer the Marquis de Sade (1740–1814), who in his novels described sexual crimes connected with acts of violence and cruelty. In the figurative sense, sadism is an abnormal passion for cruelty or taking pleasure in the sufferings of others.