sadism
pronunciation
How to pronounce sadism in British English:
UK [ˈseɪdɪzəm]
How to pronounce sadism in American English:
US [ˈseˌdɪzəm, ˈsædˌɪz-]
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- Noun:
- sexual pleasure obtained by inflicting harm (physical or psychological) on others
Word Origin
- sadism (n.)
- "love of cruelty," 1888, from French sadisme, from the name of Count Donatien A.F. de Sade (1740-1815). Not a marquis, though usually now called one, he was notorious for cruel sexual practices he described in his novels.