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sadist - 3 dictionary results

sa⋅dism

  [sey-diz-uhm, sad-iz-]
Use sadist in a Sentence
–noun
1. Psychiatry. sexual gratification gained through causing pain or degradation to others. Compare masochism.
2. any enjoyment in being cruel.
3. extreme cruelty.
Origin:
1885–90; < F sadisme; see Sade, -ism

Related forms:
sadist, noun, adjective
sa⋅dis⋅tic  [suh-dis-tik, sey-, sa-] , adjective
sa⋅dis⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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sa·dism   (sā'dĭz'əm, sād'ĭz'-)   
n.  
  1. The deriving of sexual gratification or the tendency to derive sexual gratification from inflicting pain or emotional abuse on others.
  2. The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from cruelty.
  3. Extreme cruelty.

[After Comte Donatien Alphonse François de Sade.]
sa'dist n., sa·dis'tic (sə-dĭs'tĭk) adj., sa·dis'ti·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry: sa·dist
Pronunciation: 'sAd-&st,'sad-
Function: noun
: an individual who practices sadism
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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