BDSM Part:2 Sadism and masochism

In BDSM, the term sadism refers to sexual gratification in the infliction of pain or suffering upon another person. The word is derived from the name of the Marquis de Sade, a prolific French philosopher-writer of sexually violent novels and plays. The receptive counterpart of sadism is masochism, the sexual pleasure or gratification of having pain or suffering inflicted upon the self; the name is derived from the name of the 19th century Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, known for his novel Venus in Furs that dealt with masochistic themes.

In non-BDSM usage both words are commonly used to describe personality traits in an emotional, rather than sexual sense.

Often interrelated, the practices are collectively known as S&M or sadomasochism. These terms usually refer to consensual practices within the BDSM community.