Descriptionary

transcendental meditation a relaxation technique involving intense concentration on a specially chosen word or "mantra."

transference in psychoanalysis, the exchanging of feelings toward a significant person in one's past to one's therapist.

traumatic learning associating a frightening event with a neutral event so that the neutral event causes fear or anxiety.

trichotillomania the pulling out of one's own hair, to the point of leaving bald spots.

trigger any sound, smell, sight, or sensation that evokes a painful memory and may cause anxiety or depression.

Truman syndrome a syndrome in which the suf­ferer believes his life is being taped or recorded and broadcast to the nation, named after the movie The Truman Show, in which the main character is secretly filmed throughout his life.

type A personality a personality or temperament characterized by a high level of hostility and aggression.

type B personality a personality or temperament characterized by relaxed, easygoing behavior.

visualization using the imagination as a tool to help one "see" how a goal can or could be accomplished.

voyeurism sexual pleasure from secretly observing the naked bodies or sex acts of others.

warrior gene the monoamine oxidase A gene, which in a variant form has been implicated in a tendency toward displaying a higher level of aggression when provoked, found in about one-third of the Western population.

withdrawal the isolating of oneself, mentally and physically, from others, marked by extreme reserve and a need for solitude.

word association a method of revealing the uncon­scious mind by citing a series of words and asking one to cite the first word each given word elicits in the mind.

word salad incohesive or incomprehensible speech, seen in schizophrenia.

zoosadism deriving sexual pleasure from harming animals.

sexuality

abstinence refraining from sex. AC/DC slang for bisexual.

adrenogenital syndrome a genetic disorder in which a female is born with male-like genitals due to a malfunctioning adrenal gland.

adultery sexual relations with someone other than one's spouse.

afterglow a feeling of deep relaxation and fulfill­ment after having sex.

age of consent the age at which it becomes legal to engage in consensual sex.

ambisexual see bisexual.

anal sex any sex act involving the anus.

anaphrodisiac any substance that diminishes sexual desire.

anaphrodisis lack of sexual desire.

anorgasmic incapable of achieving orgasms.

aphrodisiac any thing, substance, or activity that arouses sexual desire.

around the world slang for the kissing of another's entire body as a prelude to intercourse.

asexual having no sexual feelings.

autoeroticism sexually stimulating onself, especially by masturbation.

BD short for bondage and discipline. bang slang, to have sex with.

birds and the bees euphemism for sex usually used with children.

bisexual enjoying sex with both genders. Also known as ambisexual. Also, one who does this.

blow job slang for fellatio.

blue balls slang for severe sexual frustration in males caused by lack of ejaculation.

booty call the act of calling another person by phone for sex. Also, the act of soliciting it in person.

celibacy abstinence from sex.

celibate abstaining from sex.

chastity sexual abstinence.

cherry slang for the hymen.

circle jerk slang for a circle of adolescent males masturbating together.

climax an orgasm.

clit short for clitoris.

clitoris the highly sensitive female sex organ, located above the vaginal opening.

coitus sexual intercourse.

coitus interruptus a crude birth control method through which the penis is removed from the vagina before ejaculation.

condom a latex sheath pulled over the penis to prevent sperm and semen from entering vagina. Also known as a rubber.

consummation sexual intercourse on one's wedding night.

copulation sexual intercourse.

crabs slang for pubic lice, spread through sexual contact.

cuckold the husband of a female who is having or has had sex with another male.

cum slang for semen.

cunnilingus oral sex performed on a female.

cybersex sexual flirtation or sexual simulation between two people in an Internet chat room or other computer medium.

daisy chain any sex act in which three or more people participate and are joined together.

deflower to have intercourse with a virgin.

dildo a female sex device in the shape of a penis.

doggy style a sexual position in which the male thrusts into the female from behind, as dogs do.