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Term: Self-flagellation

Definition:

Self-flagellation refers to the act of inflicting pain or punishment upon oneself, typically through hitting or whipping the body as a form of religious or personal expression.

Senses and Usages:

Noun - Religious Practice:

In certain religious traditions, self-flagellation is considered a form of penance or devotion. It involves the deliberate whipping or striking of one's own body to atone for sins or to seek spiritual purification.

Example sentence: During Holy Week, some believers engage in self-flagellation as a means of expressing their deep religious devotion.

Noun - Personal Expression:

Self-flagellation can also be an introspective act where individuals voluntarily subject themselves to pain or punishment as a means of self-discipline or self-improvement.

Example sentence: The writer believed that self-flagellation through harsh criticism was necessary to constantly push herself towards achieving better writing skills.

Noun - Mental and Emotional Context:

In a figurative context, self-flagellation can describe the act of intensely criticizing or blaming oneself for perceived shortcomings or mistakes, often resulting in feelings of guilt, shame, or low self-esteem.

Example sentence: After failing the exam, Jenny engaged in self-flagellation, constantly berating herself for not studying enough and feeling worthless as a result.

Noun - Historical Context:

Self-flagellation has significance in history, particularly during periods of extreme religious fervor and self-mortification practices.

Example sentence: The medieval flagellants were known for their intense self-flagellation as a means of seeking divine redemption during times of widespread social turmoil.

Noun - BDSM Context:

In BDSM, self-flagellation can refer to the consensual practice where individuals engage in whipping or striking their own body, often to derive sexual pleasure or satisfy masochistic tendencies.

Example sentence: As a part of their BDSM exploration, the couple took turns engaging in self-flagellation, allowing them to explore their limits and heighten their sexual experiences.