masochism /mas″ōkiz′əm/ [Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Austrian author, 1836–1895] , pleasure or gratification derived from receiving physical, mental, or emotional abuse. The maltreatment may be inflicted by another person or by oneself. It may involve a need to experience emotional or physical pain, in reality or fantasy, to become sexually aroused. Also called passive algolagnia. Compare sadism. See also algolagnia, sadomasochism. −masochistic, adj.
