Shadow Academy - Library: Definitions

Shadow Academy's Glossary of BDSM/Fetish Terms

-A-

A Frame: a Square frame for Bondage
Agalmatophilia: is the desire to have sex with a statue, doll,or mannequin.
Age Play: those who want to be an adult child.
Agoraphilia: Defines a love of public sex play.
Apotemnophilia: defines people who are aroused by the fantasy or act of losing a limb such as an arm or leg or even genitalia.
Archnephilia: is the use of spiders in the sexual act.
Auto Erotic Asphyxia: is the very dangerous practice of seeking sexual climax through the use of self strangulation.
Axillism: is a fixation on arm pit hair or hair in general.
Ankle Cuff: Restraints designed for the ankles. These restraints can be made of leather, which is most preferred, nylon, braided rope and/or metal.
Algolagnia: The term to describe the act of transforming pain into sexual pleasure. This is the reference of Sadist, Sadomasochistic behavior and/or Masochistic behavior.
Alternative Sexuality: A sexual orientation that differs from the preference for vaginal intercourse (with minor variations) within a monogamous heterosexual relationship.
Anal Play Any sexual and/or fetish practice, concerning the anal, rectal and/or anus, which can be the use of the items, such as enemas, rimming, fisting, rimming, use of a dildo or vibrator.
Anal Sex: Penetration of the penis into the anal, rectal and/or anus cavity.
Anal Training: Preparations of the anus, rectum or anal cavity for anal play. This means a careful, purposeful, slow and gentle process as to prevent injuries to the anus.
Analingus: Anal-Oral sex. Dental dams, plastic wrap as a quick means to prevent harmful exchanges of unwanted diseases or organisms. Analingus is a tongue stimulation of the anus.
Animal Play: The "role playing" of an animal, such as a pony, canine, cat, bird or any other "animal".

-B-

Ball Gag: The Ball Gag is round. Most times it is made of rubber with straps attached or attached to a piece of head gear or head harness. Once placed in the mouth, the ability to communicate is restricted.
Bat/Riding Bat: Similar version of a horse whip but instead of a thin snapper made of nylon or rawhide, there is a strip of folded leather varies in width, shape and size, patterns such as butterflies or hands are also available. The Riding Bat denotes the length of the whip not the class or style.
BDSM: The practice of Bondage, practice of Discipline and the practice of Sadomasochism.
Bestiality: also known as zoophilia defines those who find Animals attractive as sexual partners.
Boundaries: areas or acts that are frightening but may be tried
Bondage: is the practice of restraint for sexual purposes.
Bondage Table: A table with rings down both sides
Bradycubia: is the practice of finding release by having sex very slowly.
Breath Control: Obtaining sexual excitement from having another
control your oxygen intake
Beast Sex: Any sex with any animal. Also known as zoophilia
Bed/Horizontal X: This is a "X" frame, also known to be called the "Saint Andrew's Cross," which is used for the horizontal use to restrain the submissive to the bed
Berkley Horse: Named after Madame Berkely in the Victorian era, a owner of the Special Spanking Clubs for Gentlemen in Paris, France
Black Snake: This is a label for a single tail whip, which is flexible and made of one continued construction
Blindfold: A covering for the eyes, in which the idea is to prevent sight
Blood Sport: SM practices that result in drawing blood from the subject. commonly in the role of "medical play"
Body Fluid Monogamy: This is a "between partner" agreement.to exchange direct body fluids only between them
Body Fluid Bonding: the exchange of fluids to cement a relationship
Bondage: Any practice which restrains a person's movement
Bondage Belt: Usually a belt made of leather, chain or nylon which metal "D" rings are attached, to assist with bondage
Bondage Chair: Much like a "electric chair" found in penal institutions
Bondage Frame: The Bondage Frame is a stationary device that is so used to bind a submissive to. The bondage frame may be free standing or affixed to the wall
Bottom Space/Sub Space: A type of erotic altered state of consciousness
Brat: A bottom who enjoys struggling against control and/or challenges the Top
Brain Fade: The loss of ability to "reason and/or state of confusion
Breast Torture: Also known as "tit torture," it is any play with the breasts that is erotic.
Breeding Bench: A classic and ancient form to mating unwilling females.
Body Modification: The use of any practice that causes any reshaping or ornaments the body for ritual, erotic and/or decorative purposes.
Branding: The burning of the skin, usually with a heated iron, heated metal, and other tools.
Buggy Whip: A single thong whip with a rigid core and flexible cracker on the end. This whip is usually over 6 feet long

-C-

Cage/Bondage Cage: A cage that is large enough to contain the entire body of the submissive.
Cane: Traditional canes are flexible rattan or bamboo with the optional leather handle. Modern canes can be made of plastic or fiberglass
Cat/Cat-O-Nine Tails: The term originally referred to the whip used by the British Navy around 1600-1800 circa. The "true original" cat-o-nine tails were made of rope or hemp rope with knots
Catharsis: Purge of the emotions and/or stress through the SM scene.
Chain Cage/Chain Maiden: Much like a "Iron Maiden," a tight single person cage made of chain that is hung and able to swing and be twisted, in which the submissive is forced to stand and unable to move around
Chasity Belt: A device worn by men or women, to which restricts sexual access.
Checking In: Dominants who ask the submissive during the scene, asking how they are doing and how they are feeling, with specific questions in order to get more useful answers, is known as "checking in".
Cinching: A wearing of a cincher. This is a garment that is similar but less encompassing then a corset.
Clamp/Clamping: Nipple clamps, clothespins, binder clips, mice traps, rat traps, that are designed to pinch a bit of skin
Cock and/or Cock and Ball Cage: A metal and/or leather device worn by men as to restrict the use of their penis
Cock Ring: Made of metal and/or leather which the male testicles, also known as balls, are fed through one at a time and then the penis.
Code Words: The words used in code to disguise the sexual intent of the user to the society at large. For some examples: English Culture, Greek, French, German, strict, discipline and leather, etc.
Collar/Collared: 1. A symbol of ownership worn by a slave or submissive. This collar is a profound symbol of a commitment and bond. It is much like a wedding ring and is to be treated as such. Further, a "collared," slave or submissive is considered to be "owned" by their dominant.
Countdowns: A Pavlovian effect to produce orgasms on command Conditioning: This is a term which psychology training in which the mind is trained through a deliberate process mentally linking between a desired response and an unrelated stimulant.
Conrapolor Stimulation: It is the act or behavior, which is often described as, "It hurts so good"!
Consensual: The act, behavior and/or activities to which are agreed upon by both parties and/or all parties involved.
Corporal: Any activity that involves striking of the one individual by another. This is related to "Corporal Punishment." Covenant: A deeply committed relationship or agreement
Contract: Placing those negotiated Limits and Boundaries to paper, Usually for a set period of time
Crop/Horse Crop: Usually the length of 12 inches, in which the end does not have a cracker and/or snapper, but made with a folded piece of leather
Crucifixion: Bondage incorporating a stationary cross. (No Nails)
Capnolagnia: is a fetish involving sexualizing watching others smoke.
Catheterophilia: achieving sexual pleasure from having objects inserted into the urethra. Such as metal, glass or rubber rods
Cat-fighting: sexual excitement derived from watching women fight or wrestle.
CBT: or Cock and Ball Torture: deriving sexual excitement from Bondage and torture of the male genitalia.
Chezolagnia: deriving sexual excitement from a bowel movement.
Chubby Chasers: those who find women of size their sexual Ideal.
Climacophilia: those who seek sexual excitement from falling.
Coitus a Chevel: sex on horseback or around horses.
Coitus a mammillia: arousal from breast sex.
Coitus a Unda: excitement from having sex in water.
Coprolalia: the art of talking dirty
Coprophilia: sexual arousal from feces.
Coprophagy: sexual arousal from ingesting feces
Crush Fetish: sexual arousal from being stepped upon or watching things crushed by women such as small animals.
Cunnilingus: Oral sex on a female.
Cuff/Cuffing: Placing the handcuffs, manacles, leather cuffs, nylon cuffs and/or any similar device or restraints on or about the wrists, ankles and/or both.
Cutting: The slicing of skin as a part of modifying the body known as "Body Modification," for ritual and/or scene in which a tattoo like pattern is made.

-D-

Dacryphilia: excitement from seeing or feeling or tasting another's tears.
Dental Dam: This "Dental Dam" is a latex barrier used for cunnilingus or analingus to prevent disease transmission
Discipline: The "D" in BDSM. This can mean: 1. Punishment and/or 2. Structured training of the submissive 3.having control over ones own actions.
Dressage Whip: A whip, which in length is approximately 2 feet or more in length.
Drover's Whip: A single tail whip, which is coarsely braided, shorter then a bull whip, thicker then a bull whip, it is measured from 7 to 9 feet, with a cracker.
Doraphilia: a fetish for animal fur or skin , often Leather
Dungeon: a play space usually stocked with equipment and tools for S&M; a play space.
Dysmorphophilia: People who gain sexual excitement from deformities such as scars, hair-lips, dwarves, hunchbacks, burn victims and so on.

-E-

Edge Play: Erotic role play at and/or near the edge of the submissive's and/or dominant's limits. The term also is used to refer to the higher level elements of risk.
Endorphins/Endorphin High: In the human body, a substance called endorphin is produced to help the body deal with pain and/or stress. Entirely natural, the body "endorphin" may create the feeling of "well being" and/or "intoxication".
Enema: The instrument that is used to inject fluid into the rectum and/or anal passages to and for the flushing of lower intestines.
Electrical Play: sexplay involving Violet wands, TENS units, electrical shocks.
English: This is the code word for spanking or corporal punishment. Further, this word is often used in ads.
Exhibitionism: arousal from being watched or exposing oneself.

-F-

Fetish: A sexual fixation on a activity or object. Such a example may be foot fetish.
Fire Play: The use of alcohol in a carefully arraigned scene which fire is used as a erotic sensation or burning off pubic hair.
Fire and Ice: The use of "hot and cold" is termed "fire and ice." An example of this is hot wax followed by a piece of ice or fire play and ice.
Fisting: the act of inserting the entire hand in the vagina or rectum and closing into a fist.
Flatuphilia: an interest in flatulence "farting".
Flagellation: The act of whipping an individual.
Flogger: A multi thonged whip known as tails, is a flogger.
Flogging: the act of using a flogger; whipping.
French: Code word for kissing involving the tongue such as in cunnilingus and fellatio.
Food Fetish: those who gain sexual arousal from eating or smearing food on themselves or their partner.
Foot Fetish: sexual arousal from feet.
Forniphilia: sexual arousal obtained by being an object or a piece of furniture.
French Training Harness: Used to train the submissive in oral sex or used as a means to hold the mouth open by force to allow a penis to enter.
Frottage: sexual arousal through rubbing oneself on strangers.
Furries: People who like dressing as animal or acting as same.

-G-

Gerontophilia: seeking elderly sexual partners.
Giantess Fetish: sexual arousal from extremely tall or muscular women.
Gender Play: To dress up or take the role of the opposite sex during a scene. Genital Torture: Erotic play that torments the breasts, nipples, cock and balls, anus, clitoris and vagina.
German: Code word for sadomasochistic desires.
Golden Showers: Also known as "Water Sports," involves urine on or in another person.
Gorean: This comes from the novels written by John Norman. The imaginary planet of Gor.
Greek Training Bench: A sawhorse like bench, in which the body rests on a small platform to support the weight.

-H-

Handcuffs: These metal shackles are used to bind the wrists swiftly and securely by law enforcement personnel.
Head Games: 1. Domination where the focus is primarily mental, such as humiliation, rather then physical, such as bondage or whipping. 2. Non-consensual psychological manipulation to make a person respond in a particular way for one's own purpose.
Hood: A covering for the head. Hoods vary in use in SM and are made from various materials, especially leather.
Humiliation: Playful embarrassment or humbling a person by teasing .
Hairsuit: A very hairy person.
Hierophilia: the use of sacred objects for masturbation or profane acts in a church.
Humiliation: Eroticization of disgrace or weakness.

-I-

Infibulation: Injecting saline into the scrotum of a male to cause swelling.
Infantilism: defines those who are aroused by being "Adult Babies"; things like suckling pacifiers, drinking bottles and wearing diapers.
In-Role: A person when assuming the persona of a sexual archetype or fantasy character.
Iron Maiden: A classic iron cage, which forms around the body, that tightly and firmly holds the subject in place without allowing the subject to squat or move about.

-J-

Japanese Bondage: Oriental bondage or rope dress is usually a beautiful means of bondage in design and effect.
Journal: A diary written by a submissive about their journey.
Journaling: the act of writing a journal.

-K-

Kama Sutra: (Indian translation) One man with herd of cows, which means one man with many women.
Katherine Wheel: A piece of equipment that looks like a large vertically mounted round table. The restraints are placed for spread-eagle position. The submissive is bound to the wheel.
Knife Play: The play includes the use of the knife, and does not imply that there is any cutting.
Klismaphilia: the use of enemas for sexual excitement.

-L-

Lifestyle: a term coined to describe those who feel they Live in a BDSM role at all times.
Lovestyle: Bedroom BDSM or another description of the above.
Latex: Latex and rubber are used to make clothing, sheets and other fetish items.
Lactaphilia: sexual arousal from breast milk.
Lagnonector: one who kills in order to have sex with the corpse.
Leatherbutt: 1. A term that describes a person who has been beaten so often that only intense whipping has any effect
Limit/Limits: The boundaries of SM.

-M-

Maieusiophilia: the desire to have sex with a pregnant woman.
Masochism/Masochist: The erotic enjoyment of pain, humiliation and/or being dominated.
Mucophagy: sexual arousal from nasal excretions.
Mummification: a form of bondage, being wrapped from head to toe in latex, Plastic or other material.
Mysophilia: sexual excitement from soiled undergarments or clothing.
Medical Play: Play that involves medical devices such as a speculum or just about any play that involves Fluids. Can be a very involved scene where people play "Doctor".

-N-

Necrophilia: sexual excitement from sex with the dead.
Negotiations: The process of determining the practices and boundaries of SM activities between the Top and the bottom.
Nosophilia: sexual excitement from sex with the terminally ill.
Nipple Clamp/Nipple Clip: Clamps designed and/or used to be placed on the nipples.
Nipple Torture: Stimulation of the nipples by corporal punishment and/or erotic purposes.
Nonconsensual: SM play that has not been sanctioned by either player.
Novice: A person with an interest in SM, but lacks experience.

-O-

Oculolingus: sexual excitement from licking or kissing the eyes.
Ophidicism: sexual arousal from Serpents or snakes.
Over the Knee/OTK: A classic spanking position, in which the submissive/slave is placed over the knee/lap and spanked.

-P-

Paradise Electro Stimulation/PES: A device that electrically stimulates muscle contractions, made by the company of the same name.
Pediophilia: a fetish for dolls, often confused with Pedophilia.
Pedophilia: sexual attraction to children, sometimes acted out in fantasy play by consenting adults.
Pervert: According to society perverts are those who do not stay within society's normal acceptance.
Piercing: Piercing the skin with a needle in a SM scene, as a ritual and/or body modification.
Play Piercing: Placing needles in the skin or flesh on a temporary basis.
Phallophilia: a fetish for a large penis also called size queens.
Pie Fetish: those who like to be hit with pies.
Poly: an open relationship, or relationship with three or more people.
Polyamory: a Love based relationship involving three or more people.
Pansexual: either describing the Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian,trasgender community. Or another term for Bisexual.
Polyamorous: wishing or having a multiple love relationship
Polyiterophilia: the need to have more than one sexual partner to achieve orgasm.
Pony Play: the desire to be a horse or train a human horse.
Psychrocism: sexual arousal from being cold or having a cold partner.
Pillory: a wood frame, free standing stocks that imprisons the head and wrists for immobilizing a person.
Pizzle: A highly dangerous and deadly toy, which is made from the dried and stretched penis of a bull or any large animal
Plastic Wrap: Regular plastic food wrap, saran wrap or plastic garbage bag, which can be used to encase the body for bondage.
Play: Participating in a SM scene or SM scene activity.
Power Exchange: The empowerment of the dominant by the submissive surrendering his/her control.
Psychosexual: Emotionally, attitudes, orientations and/or mindsets associated with erotic behavior or sexual fantasy life.
Puppet Chain: Origins in Ancient Greece, the puppet chain was used to control run away slaves, or hard to control slaves or prisoners
PVC/Polyvinyl-chloride: 1. A type of plastic used for fetish clothing.
Playspace: A room or Space that for a period of time is used for BDSM
Post: a Pole that has attachment points for BDSM Play

-Q-

Quirt: A flexible leather whip that resembles the likes of a mini-bull whip. The quirt has two crackers instead of one like a bull whip.
Queer: a referance to a person with Homosexual tastes.

-R-

Retifism: the sexual arousal from footwear.
Rimming: A common term for analingus (anal-oral sex).
Role Play: 1. Elaboration of one's sexual inclinations by creating a fantasy framework for them.
Roman Showers: sexual arousal over being vomited upon.
Rope Dress: Another word for Oriental Bondage.
Rope Dressage: Using a rope leash to turn a subject in a circle with a whip.

-S-

S.A.M.: Refers to the Smart Ass Masochist. This is a bottom, who rather than submit, challenges or annoys to entice a Dom to punish him/her.
Sadism/Sadist: Deriving sexual pleasure from giving pain, humiliation and/or domination.
Safe, Sane and Consensual: The standard, the banner to which characterizes the acceptable play within the SM Community.
Safe Words/Safe Signals: A word, a phrase, a song to hum when gagged, a item to be dropped (when gagged), to regulate the play as to stop it and/or to slow down.
Saint Andrew's Cross: A upright cross in the shape of a "X" to which people are bound to it face in or faced out, for torture, whipping or any other play.
Scat: Feces and/or playing with feces.
Scene: 1. The SM or fetish community or things that are associated with it. 2. The occurrence of a session of SM play,The period of time people engage in S&M or D/S play, the act of playing.
Sensory Deprivation: Restricting or diluting a sub's ability to use one or more of his/her senses, of touch, sight, hearing, taste and/or smell as part of a SM scene.
Scene Friendly: Familiarity with and acceptance of the SM scene and SM players, usually refers to professionals such as Doctors, Lawyers, Therapists, etc.
Sensual Play: SM Play that focuses on stimulating the senses without the use of pain.
Service: Acts, chores, and/or labor, sexual or otherwise, performed by a submissive for the benefit of the dominant.
Serpent's Tongue: A type of slapper made of thick leather, a taws/tawes, of two or more inches wide with a deep cut "V" cut into it. Much like a viper's/snake's tongue.
Signal Whip: A dog training whip, shorter then a single tail whip, meant only to make noise or sound to get a dog's attention.
Single Tail: Single tail whips describes the majority of the whips that do not break in braid, that from the handle, the fall (the middle part), to the snapper. It is one continuous line. Usual length is 3-7 feet and is flexible.
Sissyfication/Feminization: A practice desired by male submissives of which "forced" cross dressing and/or gender reassignment.
Spreader Bar: A strong bar, usually of wood, bamboo, metal pipe and/or plastic pipe, which has two holes or attachment loops, to bind the submissive's wrists and/or ankles apart.
Stocks: A device (usually wooden) with holes designed into it, to imprison the submissive's head, wrists and/or ankles.
Straight: 1. Code word for heterosexual. 2. Term for someone or something that is not SM orientated.
Submissive/Sub: One who surrenders control of his/her body and behavior (within pre-defined limits), to another for erotic play.
Sub Space: Also known as "bottom space," or "flying." A state which is covered in "flying".
Suspension: A bondage technique wherein, the submissive hangs totally their whole body weight and/or partially hangs their body weight.
Switch: 1. A person who enjoys taking either side in SM role and/or physical play
sensation: Another word for pain.

-T-

Tools: whips, floggers, ect the "tools" of S&M practices.
Toys: Another terms for tools.
24/7: Living the lifestyle 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
TPE: total power exchange, such as in a Master Slave relationship.
Taphephilia: sexual arousal from being buried alive.
Tampon Training: Rectal insertion of tampons into a male submissive's rectum, to have them empathize with the female's menstrual cycle.
Taws/Tawes: A thick rigid leather with length wise slit and/or slits in it. It is used like a paddle.
TENS Unit/The Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Unit: This is used by chiropractors to cause the involuntary muscle contractions.
Thud: A blow that is felt at a deeper level than a sting. The thud is easier to tolerate, but in actuality is more damaging as it causes deeper bruising.
Tit Torture: Erotic play involving the breasts. Also refer to breast/genital torture.
Top: One who takes the Dominant role, in active physical role-play, but not necessarily emotionally involved.
Training: Any of many disciplines wherein the dominant and the submissive act together to modify the submissive's behavior, condition and/or attitude.
TS/Transsexual: A person to whom is born one gender that does not match his/her personal psychology.
TV/Transvestite: A man or woman who dress in the opposite gender clothing.

-U-

Urolagnia: sexual arousal from being urinated upon.

-V-

Voyeurism: deriving sexual pleasure from secretly watching others.
Vampire Gloves: Vampire gloves are most often thin leather driving gloves, that have sharp metal tacks or tines lining the palms,used for spanking.
Vanilla: Describes things, people and activities that are not part of the SM scene.
Verbal Humiliation/Verbal Abuse: The use of sexual epithets and similar verbalizations to excite and/or humiliate one's partner.
Vinyl: A material used for fetish fashion.
Violet Wand: A static electricity generator, frequently used with multiple attachments, including globes, thin tubes or shaped tubes, etc.
Visualization: The use of story telling and/or verbal fantasy sharing, to achieve a mood and/or desired effect on the mind set.

-W-

Wartenburg Pinwheel: A neural response tester, which is constructed with a metal handle.
Water Sports: Sexual play involving urine or enemas.
Weights: Lead fishing weights and/or any other object hung from the clamps that are attached to the body, to increase the amount of torment.
Whip: A whip is an object to beat on a submissive. Many people use the term "whip" in SM scene.
Worship: 1. To lavish attention upon a part of the body, usually feet, pussy, ass and/or cock.
Wrapping: Allowing the tips of the whip and/or cane to strike parts of the body other then the intended target.

-X-

-Y-

-Z-

Zoophilia: A clinical name tag of those who participate in any Beast Sex or sexual pleasure, from human to animal or animal to human.

Many of these definitions were created by the medical community, some were not. And in explanation these definitions are limited because they are narrow in scope.some of these were added for intrest or for fun. A person can like many variations on these themes. a Pedophile is a criminal of course but someone gaining sexual arousal from acting as a child or enjoying his adult partner in that role is safely acting out a fantasy.

This author feels that each person must chose their own definitions of self, In example I call Myself a "artistic Consensual Sensation pratitioner" which in reality is Just a Politicly correct term to describe a Modern "sadist" but one I feel fully describes "MY" Pleasure to others who may not like what sadist brings to mind. Each of us can do the same by coining whatever terms we feel comfortable with, be it Known terms such as Dominant, Top, Master, Submissive, Masochist, Bottom, Boy, Pony, or any other. Or by inventing our own terms for our own pleasures. We in this Lifestyle are Nonconformists for the most part,but oddly wish to conform to a rules based ideal. one of my axioms, that I came up with for the "biker" community Years ago also fits those in the BDSM community as well, " the problem with nonconformity is we are human, and as Humans we feel we Must be Nonconformists Who conform to some form of Nonconformity" we are more comfortable being different with others who are like us.

In inventing our own Terms we can be true nonconformists, Make up a term that describes YOU, it is not only your right but a great way to define your tastes. A few I personally Have heard are .... Active Role: Power Master, Erotic Sadist, Strict Dominant, Loving SadoController, Japanese WebWeaver, Sadistic Binder, Sensual SadoDisciplinarian , S/M Switch-On and as My Submissive refures to me at times A Life support device for a Whip.

Reactive Role: Pet, Binding slave, Spiritual Masochist, Lustful Submissive, Loving Masokissive, Ecstatic WebWoven, Flexible Bindee, Sensuous Discipline Seeker and S/M Switched-On.

What I have tried to impart on you the reader are some ways We in the BDSM , D/s, M/s and leather communities describe ourselves, as well as many terms used to describe various fetishes and desires. The author awaits the day when terms, descriptions, sexual preferences do not separate us but unite us,bring us together in what is common among us. Until that day arrives be content to define yourself and show respect and courtesy to those who define themselves differently. And always remember you are what you eat. So you could be a dominant or submissive and not know it.

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