self-abuse
/'selfə'bju:z/
Definition
Noun: 1. The act of manually stimulating one's own genitals for sexual pleasure; masturbation. This is the primary and most common meaning in modern usage. 2. (Archaic or less common) The act of treating oneself harshly or unfairly; self-reproach or self-harm. This meaning is now rare and often considered outdated.
Usage
- The term is typically used in formal, medical, or clinical contexts to describe the act of masturbation.
- It can sometimes carry a negative or judgmental connotation, implying the act is harmful or wrong, which is why the neutral term "masturbation" is often preferred in modern, non-judgmental discourse.
- The archaic meaning of self-criticism or self-harm is seldom used in contemporary English.
Examples
- Primary Meaning (Masturbation):
- The old medical text incorrectly labeled masturbation as a form of "self-abuse."
- Some religious teachings historically condemned self-abuse.
- Archaic Meaning (Self-harm/Criticism):
- (Archaic) His constant self-abuse over the mistake was preventing him from moving forward.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often seen in historical or religious texts that frame sexual self-stimulation as a moral or physical detriment.
- In modern psychology, the phrase is generally avoided due to its pejorative implications, favoring more precise and neutral language.
Variants and Related Words
- Masturbation (n.): The neutral, standard term for the act of stimulating one's own genitals for sexual pleasure.
- Autoeroticism (n.): Sexual feeling generated without external stimulation, which can include but is not limited to masturbation.
Synonyms
- For the primary meaning: masturbation, autoeroticism, onanism (technical).
- For the archaic meaning: self-flagellation, self-reproach, self-condemnation.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- There are no common idioms using "self-abuse." The term itself functions as a fixed noun phrase.
Noun
-
manual stimulation of your own genital organ for sexual pleasure
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