All terms beginning with a number are found spelled out on the alphabetical page. 1 COLUMN TIE: see ONE COLUMN TIE. 180 CONDITION: see ONE-EIGHTY CONDITION. 1-10 (PAIN LEVEL SYSTEM): see ONE TO TEN. 369: see THREE SIXTY-NINE. 24/7: see TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN. 2 COLUMN TIE: see TWO COLUMN TIE.  A-FRAME or FLOGGING TRIANGLE: uncommonly known as a caning rack; a type of bondage furniture with an upright triangle piece where a person can be bound for flagellation. It is thought that an A-frame is more comfortable and supportive than an X-frame (St. Andrew's cross). See also ST. ANDREW'S CROSS. 
ABRASION PLAY: sensation play involving stroking the skin of a person with sandpaper, emery boards, a wire brush, or any other material that brings about a scraping sensation. This can be done gently, simply to cause a mild sensation, or intensely to cause an abrasion wound. See also SENSATION PLAY. ABUSE: see BDSM ABUSE. ADULT BABY (ADULT-BABY): a person who engages in age play, primarily in the role of a very young child or baby. This sort of play sometimes involves the changing of adult diapers, as well as mock breast feedings. Also see related INFANTILISM, AGE PLAY, or DIAPER PLAY. 
AFTERCARE: the time period after an intense BDSM session or activity in which the dominant provides a safe mental and physical space for the submissive to unwind, a time of recovery. Considered to be the time when a dominant tends to the submissive's psychological needs in regard to the recent BDSM session/experience. 
AFTERSHOCK: see BOTTOM DROP. AGE PLAY: any form of role-play in which a submissive assumes the role of a child or has childlike qualities. Age play is a broad term that encompasses many forms of play and flavors, from infantilism to teen play. It refers to the sexual gratification one gets either from having the power and responsibility that a parent has, or from the powerlessness and the feeling of being cared for that a child has. It is not considered to be the same as pedophilia. Daddy/babygirl relationships, mommy/babyboy relationships, and relationships that involve much older partners all fall under the age play umbrella, however, not all such relationships are considered age play. Many people play that daddy/mommy titles are in title only, simply because their role mirrors the characteristics of a stern but loving and nurturing parent yet has no relation to role-playing as an actual parent to the role-play child. Most often the term age play is reserved for those who actually role-play as a parent or child. ALIPEDI or SLIDE: a term for inserting toes or the first part of a foot into someone's vagina or anus. A practice loosely tied to foot fetish or footing. Very similar to fisting, but with the foot. It is also sometimes referred to as foot fisting or foosting. Also see related FOOT SEX or FLAMINGO. 
ALGOLAGNIA: the act of turning pain into sexual pleasure; a synonym for sadomasochism. A sexual tendency defined by deriving sexual pleasure and stimulation from physical pain, often involving genitalia. ALLIGATOR NIPPLE CLAMPS: a common type of nipple clamp with tips that have teeth resembling an alligator's mouth. Most alligator clamps, sometimes called gator clamps, come with removable rubber tips that dull the teeth. Some such clamps have no teeth and instead have a smooth bill against the nipple. Alligator clamps are also sold with an adjustable screw in which the pressure on the nipple can be controlled. Sometimes an alligator nipple clamp is confused with an alligator clip sold for electronics, which has a much tighter grasp. Small alligator clips put a much greater pressure on their hold and should never be used in place of alligator clamps for clamping onto a nipple. 
ALPHA SUB: a structured hierarchy among submissives in a BDSM house or family, or in any relationship involving more than one submissive. The alpha sub is similar to the role of "first wife" in some cultures, in which the alpha sub is the submissive with the greatest power. Sometimes the alpha sub takes on a dominant role towards other submissives while maintaining the role of submissive to the dominant or master. Many believe that even though the role of alpha sub is at a higher stature than the beta sub, both roles are equally vital to the family structure. Not all relationships that involve more than one submissive include the role of an alpha sub. See related BETA SUB. ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE: see LIFESTYLE. ANAL BEADS: a sex toy consisting of multiple balls attached together in a series, inserted in the rectum, and then removed either slowly or quickly during orgasm to enhance climax. 
ANAL HOOK or BUTT HOOK: a metal hook with a small loop on one end and usually a smooth ball shape at the other end, for insertion into a submissive's anus. With rope tied to the loop, it can be tied in ways that force the submissive into easy positions for flagellation or intercourse. Sometimes the same hook can be inserted into the vagina in the same way for the same purposes. 
ANAL TORTURE: any practice in which one inflicts pain on the anus of another. ANAL TRAINING: preparation of the anus for anal play or anal sex, usually by dilating the anus with dildos or butt plugs. Sometimes the term is used as a blanket term for any play or sexual act involving the anus. 
ANILINGUS: an activity involving oral sex with another person's anus. See related RIMMING. 
ANIMALISM: role-play in which one takes on the role of an animal to be trained. Often addresses a person's sexual desire to be treated as less than human. Pony play, puppy play, and swine play are popular forms of animalism. 
ANKLE CUFFS: any sort of cuffs that are specially designed for use on a person's ankles. See related WRIST CUFFS. 
ANORGASMIA: the inability for a male or female to achieve an orgasm due to physical or mental issues. See sometimes related DRY HEAVES. ARMBINDER: any device that restrains a person’s arms behind their back, causing not only the wrist to be bound close together but also the elbows. See related MONOGLOVE. 
ARNICA: an herbal medicine, in pill or ointment form and made from the arnica flower/plant that reduces bruising and helps with sore muscles. 
AROMA PLAY or AUROMA PLAY: BDSM activities that involve the use of aromatherapy to induce relaxation. Also refers to play using vapors or smells to create certain moods to intensify a play session. ASEXUAL PLAY: BDSM activities, such as spanking or flogging, that do not lead to any sexual activity or any sensual touching. BDSM activities that are not associated with sex. BDSM acts that are not considered to be sexual. This is a controversial notion, as many believe that though not all BDSM activities are considered sex, they are all at least sexual in nature. ASMR (A.S.M.R.): an acronym for autonomous sensory meridian response which is a physical response to sounds. It is described as a positive tingling feeling that comes over a person, usually the back of the neck or down one's spine, a feeling that the hairs on one's arms or the back of their neck are standing on end, or it is described as simply feelings of goosebumps, as a direct triggered response to audio cues. For example, the sound of rubbing cloth repeatedly while whispering with heavy breath into someone’s ear, can sometimes bring about a tingle feeling in some individuals. ASS PLAY or ANAL PLAY: any form of sexual play with a participant's anus, including sodomy, anilingus, enemas, dildos and/or butt plugs. ASYMMETRIC BONDAGE: bondage in which a person is bound so that one of their legs or arms is different than the other, lacking symmetry. For example, one arm is tied to the person's leg while the other arm is tied to her/his back. 
AUTO-EROTIC ASPHYXIATION: asphyxia that results from intentionally strangling oneself, often with a rope or belt, while masturbating, in an attempt to heighten sexual pleasure by limiting the oxygen supply to the brain. Considered to be very dangerous practice. Many people die each year engaging in this practice. See related EROTIC ASPHYXIATION. 
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