flagellations
Ritualistic self-beatings
Flagellations are acts of whipping or beating, typically as religious discipline or sexual practice.
In religious contexts, self-flagellation is mortification of the flesh—punishing the body to purify the soul.
In BDSM, flagellation is erotic punishment.
The word also applies figuratively to harsh self-criticism: His memoir is full of flagellations over past mistakes.
Repeated striking blows
- lashingBeating or binding
- floggingBeating as punishment
- scourgingWhipping as punishment
- beatingRepeated striking or pulsing
stripes · cat-o-nine-tails · corporal · chastisement · discipline · torture · ordeal · slave
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
discipline · Opus Dei · asceticism · monastic · penitent · contrition · hair shirt · scourging
Express sharp disapproval
- excoriationHarsh criticism; skin abrasion
- beratingHarsh verbal criticism
- castigationSevere verbal criticism
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
denunciation · lambasting · verbal · tirade · attack · public · humiliation · dressing-down
Hairlike cellular projections
- motilitySelf-generated movement capacity
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- spermMale reproductive cell
protozoa · microorganism · movement · locomotion · undulation · cellular · flagella · swimming
whipping
Repeated striking blows
beating · stripes · cat-o-nine-tails · corporal · chastisement · discipline · torture · ordeal · slave · colonial
penance
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
devotion · discipline · Opus Dei · asceticism · monastic · penitent · contrition · hair shirt · scourging · pilgrimage
rebuke
Express sharp disapproval
- excoriationHarsh criticism; skin abrasion
- beratingHarsh verbal criticism
- castigationSevere verbal criticism
condemnation · denunciation · lambasting · verbal · tirade · attack · public · humiliation · dressing-down · tongue-lashing
cilia
Hairlike cellular projections
- motilitySelf-generated movement capacity
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
sperm · protozoa · microorganism · movement · locomotion · undulation · cellular · flagella · swimming · aquatic
flagellationscaresses
Touches gently with love
strokes · pats · soft touches · massages · tickles
flagellationsnurturing
Supportive care-giving
healing · soothing · comforting · pampering · ministrations
flagellationsindulgences
Excessive self-granted pleasures
gratifications · rewards · pleasures · self-indulgences · hedonism