flagellation

[ flaj-uh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of flagellating.
2. a masochistic or sadistic act in which the participants receive erotic stimulation from whipping or being whipped.

Other Words From

• self-flagel·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flagellation¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin flagellātiōn-, stem of flagellātiō. See flagellate, -ion

Example Sentences

In another incident in the city in February, a Jewish American tourist vandalised a statue of Christ with a hammer at the Church of the Flagellation on the Way of the Cross.

From BBC

Then again, it’s a level of flagellation he feels he deserves, which packs even more of a punch.

From New York Times

I decided to take a break from the self flagellation, resulting from wasting clamshells of salad greens each week and do something different.

From Salon

The next month, a religious Jewish American tourist vandalised a statue of Christ with a hammer at the Church of the Flagellation on the Way of the Cross.

From BBC

“There is so much flagellation as an artist; I need to be constantly throwing myself onto the ground for my work,” Hills said, adding that time in the spa has been a gift.

From New York Times

Related Words

• spanking
• whipping