eroticism
nounUS /ɪˈɹɑtəˌsɪzm̩/
Etymology From erotic + -ism.
1
Usually the state of being erotic, or of being sexually aroused
2
Usually sexual excitement, especially if abnormally persistent
3
Usually a sexual interest in something; an attraction, fetish, etc.
- There is a range of fantasies available to all of us in this culture. I think that everyone has a range of possibilities. Nevertheless, we all specialize; we all have preferences. A lot of people have those [sadomasochistic] fantasies cut ^([sic]) it isn't their primary eroticism, or even something they want to try.1981 August 15, Nancy Wechsler, Gayle Rubin, Pat Califia, “Sadomasochism: Fears, Facts, Fantasies”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 5, page 6:
- Derived terms
- autoeroticism, pseudoeroticism, sacred eroticism