Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

EXHIBITIONISM

 - 5 dictionary results

ex⋅hi⋅bi⋅tion⋅ism

[ek-suh-bish-uh-niz-uhm]
–noun
1. a tendency to display one's abilities or to behave in such a way as to attract attention.
2. Psychiatry. a disorder characterized esp. by a compulsion to exhibit the genitals in public.

Origin:
1890–95; exhibition + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To EXHIBITIONISM
ex·hi·bi·tion·ism   (ěk'sə-bĭsh'ə-nĭz'əm)   
n.  
  1. The act or practice of deliberately behaving so as to attract attention.

  2. Psychiatry A psychosexual disorder marked by the compulsive exposure of the genitals in public.

ex'hi·bi'tion·ist n., ex'hi·bi'tion·is'tic adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·hi·bi·tion·ism
Pronunciation: "ek-s&-'bish-&-niz-&m
Function: noun
1 a : a perversion markedby a tendency to indecent exposure b : an act of such exposure
2 : the act or practice of behaving so as to attract attention to oneself
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

exhibitionism ex·hi·bi·tion·ism (ěk'sə-bĭsh'ə-nĭz'əm)
n.
An abnormal compulsion to expose the genitals with the intent of provoking sexual interest in the viewer.


ex'hi·bi'tion·ist n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia

exhibitionism

derivation of sexual gratification through compulsive display of one's genitals. Like voyeurism (q.v.), sexual display is almost universal as a prelude to sexual activity in animals, including humans; it is regarded as deviant behaviour when it takes place outside the context of intimate sexual relations. Exhibitionists are usually not dangerous, although the experience is frequently perceived by the victim as threatening; violence or sexual assault seldom follows the display

Learn more about exhibitionism with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see EXHIBITIONISM on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: