BDSM: An abbreviation for Bondage and Discipline(BD), Dominance and Submission(DS), and Sadomosochism(SM).

Bondage: Any practice involving restraints placed on the body to restrict freedom of movement.

Consensual: An activity done with the consent of adults competent to give that consent. One of the central features of SM play. True consent is informed consent and requires a reasonably accurate knowledge of possible risks.

Dominant: The person who is given control in a consensual exchange of power. One who enjoys assuming control. One who decides what happens and when. A dominant may or may not be sadistic.

Endorphins, endorphin high: Endorphins are substances created by the body to help endure pain or stress. Entirely natural, but theoretically similar in feel to opiates. The body's release of endorphins may create a feeling of well-being, even intoxication, which is called an endorphin high. This is one of the major reasons masochists enjoy BDSM so much. In a SM scene a skilled dominant will manipulate the masochist's endorphin levels with the aim of taking them on an endorphin high.

Feminisation: An activity that involves dressing the submissive in female attire and requiring traditionally female behaviour. May also be "forced feminisation" in which the submissive is "forced" to dress or act like a woman. Feminisation may be perceived by the submissive as humiliating or a privilege.

Flogger: A multi-tailed whip in which the tails are long, flat strips of leather or a similarly flexible material.

Forbidden zone: The abdominal area containing the kidneys, liver, spleen, and other organs vulnerable to serious damage from a whipping. Runs all the way around the body and from the hip crests to the xiphoid process. (The angle felt at the front of the rib cage.)

Heavy: A somewhat imprecise slang term meaning extreme. Example, "I'm not into heavy pain." Note - what is heavy to one person may not be heavy to another.

Isolation syndrome: The emotional distress, sometimes severe, from believing that you are the only person in the world interested in SM.

Limit: The boundaries of SM activities set by both dominant and submissive during negotiation defining what each is willing and unwilling to do within a scene. Limits must be respected and never intentionally breached by either partner. Limits apply to roles, levels of dominance and submission, and duration of time, as well as phycal activities, such as flogging, paddling, etc. 

Masochist: A person who specifically enjoys receiving pain. It is quite possible for a person to be masochistic without being submissive, or to be submissive without being masochisitic.

Mistress: A female dominant. Often used as a term of address. It is often considered somewhat rude to address a woman by this term without first being given permission to do so. (Note: dominants do not usually address each other by such titles.)

Mistress/slave relationship: An ongoing SM relationship in which the slave is submissive to a female dominant.

Negotiate: To discuss the details of what will and will not be done either during a specific scene, or during the course of a SM relationship. During a long term relationship negotiations may take place at regular intervals. Can be formal and written down or an informal chat before a session depending on circumstances and length of relationship.

Novice: A person just beginning to learn about and explore SM. Also often affectionately called a "newbie" by experienced players. Often treated with special kindness and attention by more experienced members of the SM community.

Pain slut: A slang term for a masochist. Often used by masochists to describe themselves.

Play: To engage in SM. Example: "I played with her at a party last week." Also a term referring to a particular activity, e.g. nipple play.

Playroom: A room especially set up for SM play. Also commonly called a dungeon.     

Pushing limits: SM play designed to take the submissive right up tot he edge of what they can stand, and then coax them into going "just a little bit further". Can be very rewarding for submissive and dominant but requires knowledge of each other and trust. Often only done by people who have scened together before.

Sadist: A person who specifically enjoys administering pain (in a consensual context within SM definitions). A person my be dominant without being sadistic.

Safeword: A specific word or signal used, by prior agreement, to indicate that things are really becoming too intense for the person.

Scene: A slang term for a SM encounter. Session is also frequently used.

Slave: A person who has or seeks and on-going structured relationship with a dominant. Usually has strong submissive tendancies, and some masochist tendancies. Someone who wants to be owned, used and abused by a dominant(s).

Submissive: One who yields control to a dominant(s). One who obeys all orders and allows themselves to be bound or "tortured" by a dominant(s) within a scene. (Within pre-negotiated limits.)