MAINTENANCE:
in the confines of a D/s relationship, the practice of a dominant making sure that certain protocols and rituals are adhered to in order to maintain the relationship dynamic. It also refers to the practice of a dominant spanking or giving corporal punishment to a submissive without merit of any wrongdoing on the part of the submissive, or to cover any infraction that might have been missed during a given period. The act is meant as a reminder of the relationship dynamic, serving as maintenance for the mental well-being of the participants and their relationship.



MANACLES:
a generic term for metal cuffs joined by a metal chain. It is a device for confining the hands, usually consisting of a pair of metal rings joined together or connected to a central chain.





MARTINET:
also known as a fouet d'enfant; a short, scourge-like whip consisting of a wooden handle of about ten inches and about ten lashes of equal or shorter length. The lashes are usually made of leather, but sometimes soap-stiffened cords are used instead. It was the traditional implement for corporal punishment in France, typically used on children. In England, the term martinet was long used to designate the person administering corporal punishment rather than the whip itself.





MASKING:
to protect certain areas of the body from bruises, other marks, or damage to vital organs by covering the area with leather, cloth, rubber, or other heavy materials.



MASKING BELT:
a thick, heavy leather belt, sometimes a weight-lifting belt, placed on a standing submissive to protect the kidneys or other vital organs during a heavy flogging or caning. Some jurisdictions that practice judicial corporal punishment, such as Singapore, utilize protective padding to shield the prisoner from kidney damage. While standing or leaning against flagellation furniture, a submissive may flinch or tighten up at the sound of an approaching cane or flogger, shifting the intended target. It carries no shame for even the most skilled dominant to use a masking belt for added safety.





MASOCHISM:
the tendency to derive pleasure or sexual gratification from one's own pain or humiliation; the enjoyment of what appears to be painful. It is distinguished from sadism, which is deriving pleasure from administering pain or humiliation to another. The context of the pain is important to the masochist, usually connected in some way to a sexual experience or to the fantasy of being abused or dominated. The term masochism was coined in 1886 by psychiatrist Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing. He named the concept after the author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose writings, particularly the novella "Venus in Furs," depicted his personal themes of submission and erotic dominance.

See related SADOMASOCHISM.



MASOCHIST:
one who engages in masochism.



MASTER:
a male dominant, usually in a total power exchange relationship with a submissive. It is the title assumed by the person in the role of owner within slave play. Loosely, it describes any male who takes on the dominant role in a BDSM activity, or serves as a prefix title announcing one's orientation toward dominance. The term can also refer to gaining high skill or proficiency within BDSM practice.



MASTER/SLAVE RELATIONSHIP (M/s):
a BDSM relationship in which one person assumes the role of master while the other assumes the role of slave; also refers to a total power exchange relationship.



MEDICAL PLAY:
a form of role-play in which participants simulate a medical care setting, taking on the role of either a medical professional or a patient, often incorporating costumes and medical equipment. The term also describes BDSM activities that utilize clinical or medical equipment outside the context of dramatic role-play. Common implements used in medical play include Wartenberg wheels, buck hammers, breast clamps, speculums, catheters, mouth gags, Paradise Electro Stimulation (PES) devices, TENS units, straitjackets, urethral sounds, enemas, and assorted needles.



MENTOR:
one who guides or instructs another in matters of BDSM, typically an experienced practitioner who assists a newcomer in learning technical, relational, and safety aspects of play.



MESSALINA COMPLEX:
an informal term for nymphomania, used to describe extreme promiscuity or hypersexuality in a woman, characterized by an insatiable desire for sexual partners. The term originates from Ancient Rome, where a Roman emperor's third wife had a reputation for extreme sexual indulgence. It is sometimes used in the BDSM community as a derogatory term for a woman who is promiscuous yet has no real interest in BDSM.



MICRO BRANDING:   see DEVIL'S FIRE.



MILITARY PLAY:
a form of role-play involving military attire, protocols, and hierarchical structure. It is a BDSM power exchange between an individual assuming the role of a superior rank and an individual assuming a subordinate rank.



MILKING (PROSTATE MILKING or PROSTATE MASSAGE):
the practice of repeatedly inducing orgasm in a male, by stimulating the prostate through the anus, until he is no longer able to produce ejaculate. It can also refer to stimulating a male's prostate through the anus with either a finger or a dildo to produce ejaculation without orgasm. The prostate is an essential component of a male orgasm. Sometimes, stimulating the prostate makes it impossible for a man to delay orgasm or maintain an erection.

See related DRY HEAVES and PUPPETEERING.





MISTRESS:
a female dominant, usually in a total power exchange relationship with a submissive. She is the female equivalent of a master. Loosely, it refers to any female who takes on the dominant role in BDSM activity. It can also serve as a prefix title announcing one's sexual preference for the dominant role, or refer to a pro-domme. In the vanilla world, the term mistress sometimes refers to a woman in an extramarital sexual relationship with a married man.



MOMMY:
a female dominant with mother-like qualities. A mommy-type is stern yet nurturing and loving. The term can, but does not always, refer to a title or role in age play, and serves as the female counterpart to "daddy."

See sometimes related AGE PLAY.



MONKEY FIST FLOGGER:
a specific type of flogger, usually consisting of three or four rope lashes with heavy monkey fist knots at the ends. A monkey fist is a knot tied to form a heavy ball, traditionally used to throw lines over poles for rigging. A monkey fist flogger can be dangerous if used vigorously, as the weighted tips can cause severe bruising or internal bleeding.





MONOGLOVE:
an extreme type of armbinder consisting of a single long sheath with adjustable straps, laces, or both. Some monogloves include a strap that connects the sheath to a shoulder harness.

See related ARMBINDER.





MONOGAMY:
the practice or state of being married to one person at a time, or of having a romantic or sexual relationship with only one partner. It is the opposite of polyamory.

See related contrast POLYAMORY.



MOUTH BIT:
any style of gag with an attached bit designed to sit between the teeth and secure with a buckle or clasp. These gags often resemble horse bits and are frequently used in pony play.





MOUTH GAG:
any of the many types of dental instruments designed to hold the mouth open during medical procedures. These devices are sometimes used in BDSM and are often sold in adult novelty stores.





MUMMIFICATION:
a type of bondage in which a person is immobilized by being wrapped tightly in materials such as fabric, latex, tape, kitchen cling wrap, or stretch wrap. It may also refer to encasement bondage, where a person is enclosed in a device that completely restricts movement.





MUNCH:
a casual gathering (typically at a restaurant, pub, or private residence) for people interested in BDSM to meet like-minded individuals and discuss topics freely. Unlike a play party, a munch rarely involves active play or overt BDSM displays, as it is designed to be a social event in a low-pressure environment.



MUZZLE GAG:
a gag with a flat panel on the front that goes directly over the wearer's mouth and is secured by straps.  Muzzle gags are often attached to a head harness.










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