Edge play
Term refering to sexual activities that are considered to be pushing the traditional view on safe, sane and consensual creed. Edge play is dangerous and may contain risk of permanent harm, spreading diseases (cutting, bloodplay) or even death, as from breathplay or gunplay. Constitution of edge play varies with persons involved, so the definition is fairly subjective.
Dungeon
A dungeon is any space set aside and equiped for BDSM activities. As opposed to private dungeons that are set in residential spare rooms or basements, public dungeons are open to the public as a part of a nightclub or on a membership basis. Professional dominants and dominatrices often maintain their own dungeon, which is commonly equipped with attachments for shackles and cuffs, and other type of BDSM furniture such as spanking benches and cages.
Dom
An abbreviation for dominant man who exercises domination with submissive female or male partners.
Discipline
Generally refers to usage of systematic instruction on submissive person (disciple) and includes acts that can be inflicted on controlee without his/her liking. To ensure instructions are carried out, dominant may enforce order through punishment. That punishment may be painful physically (in case of corporal punishment) or psychologically humiliating. It can also imply loss of privileges, orders to fulfill given tasks or threat of further punishment in case task isn’t done properly.
Domination
In BDSM context, it’s a state of having power or control over submissives with their consent. Being dominant implies respecting set of behaviors, customs and rituals; and submitting other person in an erotic episode called “scene” or as a lifestyle arrangement. It can be conducted without physical contact through telephone, email or other messaging system, though in other cases it can be intensely physical. Taking superior position in a consensual power exchange also means taking responsibility for physical and mental state of a submitted person.
Crucifixion
In BDSM, it’s a practice consisting of tying or chaining a submissive person to a large X- cross, also known as St. Andrew’s Cross. The X-cross usually provides restraining points for wrists, ankles and waist. Submissive person may be restrained to the cross with either back or front facing the cross. Facing the cross is a position for whipping, whereas back to the cross is generally better position for sexual teasing. When fully restrained to the cross, submissive person is in a standing spreadeagle position.
Crop
A type of BDSM implement used for corporal punishment. Crops come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but mostl common is a short type of whip without a lash, also known as riding crop. Thicker part of the rod represents crop’s handle while a thin flexible tress such as leather tongue is intended to make contact with submissive’s anatomy, mostly buttocks.
Corset
A highly fetishized garment worn to mold the torso into a very feminine shape for aesthetic purposes. Although women are more common wearers, men are also known to wear corsets. Unlike tops created in fashion industry that mimic its design, genuine corset is made by the corsetmaker and should be individually fitted. Practice of wearing a tightly laced corset for a prolonged period of time in order to significantly reduce waist size is called tightlacing. In BDSM, submissive may be forced to wear a tightlaced corset, which restrains normal movement to its wearer. However, many dominants also prefer wearing corsets because of their armored structure and commanding appearance.
Collar
In BDSM, collar is a standard piece of equipment of any material (though mostly leather, rubber and metal) placed around the neck of the submissive person. It also features metal D-rings enabling attachment of a leash. Collars are widely used in role-playing games involving humiliation and pet-like control , especially when accompanied by a leash. By wearing a collar, person states her/his submissiveness or shows that s/he is under control of a dominant partner. Variations include posture collars such as neck and mouth corsets, which are used for intense breathplay.
Corporal punishment
An intentional infliction of pain as a punishment for undesirable behaviour or attitude, or as a penalty for offence, or for disciplinary purposes of a submissive person. It usually refers to methodically striking the submissive person with an implement such as oen bare hand, various types of whips, canes, paddles and other BDSM equipment. Also, different types of submissive’s anatomy may be targeted, most common being: buttocks (spanking), back of the thighs and calves (may leave severe scars and bruises), palms and soles of the feet.