In popular usage, the term dower may be confused with: 1  A dowager is a widow (who may receive her dower). 2  Property brought to the marriage by the bride is called a dowry. 3  Property made over to the bride's family at the time of the wedding is a bride price.
masochism. the act or instance of gaining pleasure experiencing physical or psychological pain. The term is usually used to denote sexual m. adj., adj masochisÂ´tic. sexual masochism a paraphilia in which sexual gratification is derived from being hurt, humiliated, or otherwise made to suffer physically or psychologically.
1. (Psychology) the combination of sadistic and masochistic elements in one person, characterized by both aggressive and submissive periods in relationships with others. 2. sexual practice in which one partner adopts a sadistic role and the other a masochistic one. Abbreviation: SM or S & M Compare sadism, masochism.