algolagnia

noun

al·​go·​lag·​nia ˌal-gō-ˈlag-nē-ə 

: 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 

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

Medical Definition

algolagnia

noun

al·​go·​lag·​nia ˌal-gō-ˈlag-nē-ə 

: a perversion (as masochism or sadism) in which pleasure and especially sexual gratification is obtained by inflicting or suffering pain

algolagnic

-nik 

adjective