Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
Definition: Orgasm |
OrgasmNoun1. The moment of most intense pleasure in sexual intercourse. Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
Date "orgasm" was first used: 1684. (references) |
Etymology: Orgasm \Or"gasm\, noun. [French expression orgasme; compare Greek for kneading, softening, probably confused with to swell, espicially with lust; to feel an ardent desire.]. (references) |
| Domain | Definition |
Health | The crisis of sexual excitement in either humans or animals. (references) |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
An orgasm, also known as a climax, is a pleasurable physiological, and to no small degree a psychological, response to sexual stimulation, that can be experienced by both males and females. The orgasm is one of nature's ways of making certain that an animal will engage in sexual intercourse, thus propagating its own genes.
General
Orgasm is the third stage of four in the currently accepted model of the physiological process of sexual stimuation. It is the conclusion of the plateau phase in a release of sexual tension. Both males and females experience quick cycles of muscle contraction of the anus and lower pelvic muscles, as well as in the sexual organs.Human male orgasm
In a human male orgasm, there are rapid, rhythmic contractions of the prostate, urethra and the muscles at the base of the penis, which force stored semen to be expelled through the penis's urethral opening. This is referred to as ejaculation. The process usually takes from 3 to 10 seconds. The process is usually, but not always, extremely pleasurable. Note that it is possible to ejaculate without reaching orgasm, and to have an orgasm without ejaculation (opening the door for male multiple orgasms). Following orgasm, a refractory period occurs during which a man cannot have another orgasm. This period can be anywhere from less than a minute to over half a day, depending on such factors as the individual and his age.
Human female orgasm
In a human female orgasm, orgasm is preceded by moistening of the vaginal walls, and an enlargement of the clitoris due to increased blood flow trapped in the clitoris's spongy tissue. Some women exhibit a sex flush; a reddening of the skin over much of the body due to increased blood flow to the skin. As a woman comes closer to having orgasm, the clitoris moves inward under the clitoral hood, and the labia minora (minor lips) become a darker pink. As orgasm becomes imminent, the vagina decreases in size by about 30% and also becomes congested with blood. The uterus then experiences muscular contractions. A woman experiences full orgasm when her uterus, vagina and pelvic muscles undergo a series of rhythmic contractions.
After the orgasm is over, the clitoris re-emerges from under the clitoral hood, and returns to its normal size in less than 10 minutes. Unlike men, women do not have a refractory period, and thus can experience a second orgasm soon after the first; some women can even follow this with a third, or even fourth orgasm; this is known as multiple orgasms. Research shows that about 13% of women experience multiple orgasms; a larger number may be able to experience this with the proper stimulation (such as a vibrator) and frame of mind.
Orgasms in both men and women are often associated with other involuntary actions, including vocalizations and muscular spasms in other areas of the body. Also, a generally euphoric sensation is associated with orgasm.
Female ejaculation
Many women experience an expulsion of fluid during orgasm. In many cases the origin of this fluid is the Skene's glands. For further details, see female ejaculation.
Vaginal vs. clitoral orgasms
A distinction is sometimes made between clitoral and vaginal orgasms in women. Many doctors and feminist advocates have claimed that vaginal orgasms do not exist, and that female orgasms are obtained only from clitoral arousal. Recent discoveries about the size of the clitoris -- it extends inside the body, around the vagina -- would seem to support this theory. On the other hand, other sources argue that vaginal orgasms are dominant or more "mature."This latter viewpoint was first promulated by Freud. In 1905, Freud argued that clitoral orgasm was an adolescent phenomenon, and upon reaching puberty the proper response of mature women changes to vaginal orgasms. [1], [1] While Freud did not provide evidence supporting this basic assumption, the consequences of the theory were greatly elaborated thereafter.
In the 1966, Masters and Johnson published pivotal research into the phases of sexual stimulation. Their work included women as well as men, and unlike Kinsey previoiusly (in 1948 and 1953), set out to determine the physiological stages leading up to and following orgasm. [1] One of the results was the promotion of the idea that vaginal and clitoral orgasms follow the same stages of physical response. Additionally, Masters and Johnson argued that clitoral stimulation is the primary source of orgasms.
This standpoint has been adopted feminist advocates, to the extent that some hold that the vaginal orgasm was a mirage, created by men for their convenience. Certainly many women can only experience orgasm with clitoral stimulation, either alone or in addition to vaginal stimulation, while (less commonly) other women can only experience orgasm with vaginal stimulation. The clitoral-only orgasm school of thought became an article of faith in some feminist circles. Alternately, some feminists instead feel the clitoral orgasm robs females of the source of the womanhood.
A new understanding of vaginal orgasm has been emerging since the 1980s. Many women report that some form of vaginal stimulation is essential to subjectively experience a complete orgasm, in addition to or in lieu of external (clitoral) stimulation. Recent anatomical research has pointed towards a connection between intravaginal tissues and nerve endings on one hand, and the clitoris on the other. This, combined with the anatomical evidence that the internal part of the clitoris is a much larger organ than previously thought could also explain credible reports of orgasms in women who have undergone clitoridectomy as part of so-called female circumcision.
Orgasm in non-human species
- to be written
See also
- Human sexual behavior
- Human sexuality
- Sex
- Female ejaculation
- G-spot
External links
- Wallen, Kim, "An Annotated Bibliography on Sexual Arousal, Orgasm, and Female Ejaculation in Humans and Animals". Department of Psychology, Emory University. Atlanta, GA.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Orgasm."
Synonyms: OrgasmSynonyms: climax (n), coming (n), sexual climax (n). (additional references) |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Sexuality | Orgasm, climax, ejaculation. |
Violence | Severity; ferocity, rage, fury; exacerbation, exasperation, malignity; fit, paroxysm; orgasm, climax, aphrodisia; force, brute force; outrage; coup de main; strain, shock, shog; spasm, convulsion, throe; hysterics, passion; (state of excitability). |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
Crosswords: Orgasm |
| English words defined with "orgasm": anorgasmia ♦ carnal knowledge, coition, coitus, come, Congress, copulation ♦ frigidity ♦ intercourse ♦ male orgasm ♦ relation ♦ sex act, sexual congress, sexual intercourse, sexual relation. (references) |
| Specialty definitions using "orgasm": extreme euphoria ♦ feltching ♦ Mac Playmate. (references) |
| Non-English Usage: "Orgasm" is also a word in the following languages with English translations in parentheses. Romanian (orgasm), Swedish (orgasm), Turkish (climax). |
| Domain | Usage | |
Screenplays | I'm too famous to have an orgasm. (Grosse Pointe; writing credit: Amy Engelberg; Wendy Engelberg) I don't need twelve ways to fake an orgasm. You got one good one, you're covered (Just Shoot Me!; writing credit: David Renwick) Oh, you mean an orgasm friend (Buffy the Vampire Slayer; writing credit: Doreen Spicer) Friction, friction, friction, orgasm. Fishism (Ally McBeal; writing credit: Henri Vernes) It's no use, I just can't bring my wife to orgasm. (Top Secret!; writing credit: Jim Abrahams; David Zucker) | |
Movie/TV Titles | XXX Trek: The Final Orgasm (1999) Mechanical Orgasm Machine (1993) Adam & Eve Guide to G-spot Orgasm (1993) City in Orgasm (1991) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | ||
| Domain | Title |
Books | |
Theater & Movies | |
Music |
|
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Author | Quotation |
Irving Layton | If poetry is like an orgasm, an academic can be likened to someone who studies the passion-stains on the bedsheets. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | |
| Subject | Topic | Quote |
Health | The severe "orgasmic headache" occurs right before orgasm and is believed to be a vascular headache. (references) | |
Most men find little or no difference in the sensation of orgasm, or sexual climax, before and after surgery. (references) | ||
A simple recounting of sexual activity might distinguish between problems with erection, ejaculation, orgasm, or sexual desire. (references) | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits. | ||
| Speaker | Phrase(s) |
Fran Drescher | Well, I was a little, you know, like nervous. It took a little while. I mean, you know like we did it, and I managed to have an orgasm, and we managed to make love, and everything worked, which I was very happy about. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| "Orgasm" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 100.00% of the time. "Orgasm" is used about 178 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Noun (singular) | 100% | 178 | 23,220 |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
Expressions using "orgasm": dry orgasm ♦ male orgasm. Additional references. | |
| Hypenated Usage | |
Ending with "orgasm": mock-orgasm. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Expression | Frequency per Day | Expression | Frequency per Day |
orgasm | 7,843 | forced orgasm | 97 |
female orgasm | 2,437 | anal orgasm | 96 |
woman orgasm | 467 | female orgasm video | 87 |
teen orgasm | 288 | pussy orgasm | 86 |
orgasm denial | 286 | orgasm video | 84 |
male orgasm | 251 | sybian orgasm | 83 |
orgasm sound | 224 | vaginal orgasm | 82 |
girl orgasm | 216 | sexual orgasm | 79 |
lesbian orgasm | 213 | male multiple orgasm | 79 |
female orgasm pic | 176 | give an orgasm | 78 |
orgasm pic | 154 | womens orgasm | 76 |
orgasm machine | 141 | real orgasm | 76 |
squirting orgasm | 130 | girl having orgasm | 76 |
g spot orgasm | 126 | make a girl orgasm | 72 |
screaming orgasm | 125 | sex orgasm | 67 |
orgasm picture | 111 | give a woman an orgasm | 66 |
first orgasm | 109 | better orgasm | 66 |
multiple orgasm | 105 | clitoral orgasm | 66 |
give a girl an orgasm | 98 | wet orgasm | 64 |
make woman orgasm | 98 | female orgasm picture | 63 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Language | Translations for "orgasm"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | |
Albanian | orgazmë (climax). (various references) | |
Arabic | هزة التهيج الجنسي, ذروة النشوة الجنسية, إنتعاظ, رعشةالجماع. (various references) | |
Bulgarian | оргазъм. (various references) | |
Chinese | 性交高潮. (various references) | |
Czech | orgasmus. (various references) | |
Danish | orgasmus, orgasme, klimax. (various references) | |
Dutch | orgasme. (various references) | |
Farsi | حالت انزال درمقاربت , اوج لذت جنسی , شوروهیجان , شورشهوانی . (various references) | |
French | orgasme. (various references) | |
German | Orgasmus. (various references) | |
Greek | οργασμόσ (climax), οργασμός (estrus, heat, oestrum, oestrus, rut, rutting period, state of being in heat). (various references) | |
Hebrew | אור'זמ", אביו " (libido, sexual desire), "תר'שות חזק" (delirium, furor). (various references) | |
Hungarian | orgazmus (climax), kéjérzet tetőfoka, érzelmi kitörés, érzelmi felindulás. (various references) | |
Italian | orgasmo (agitation, climax). (various references) | |
Japanese Kanji | オリン"ック憲 (alternate, alternative, Olympic Charter, Olympos, OPP, organ, organize, organizer, orgone energy, orthophenyl phenol), アクチニウ 系列 (acrylic, Actinides, actinium series, activation, active, active defense, active homing, active solar house, active sonar, active sportswear, activity, actress, actual, actual time, actuality), エンボス 工 (auction, audience, audience survey, audio, audiometer, audio-visual, audition, auditorium, Austin, Australia, Australopithecus, Austria, authentic, authority, authorization, authorize, auto, auto door, auto focus, auto parlor, auto player, auto show, autobacks, autobiography, autocamping, auto-changer, autocracy, autocross, automatic, automatic clutch, automatic control, automatic stop, automatic transmission, automatic tuning deck, auto-nurse, autopilot, auxin, custom-made, eau de Cologne, embossment, enlargement, enrich, haute couture, made-to-order, motorcycle race, motorcycle), OA, oak, oaks, oats, ocean, ocean race, oceanaut, Odin, office automation, office lady, ogre, OK, OL, old girl, orc, orchard, orchestra, orchestra box, order, order entry system, order made, ordinary, organdy, organization, organize, organizer, orgy, orgy party, orthodox, ostrich). (various references) | |
Japanese Katakana | オーガズ , オルガス ス , オルガス , アクメ . (various references) | |
Korean | 오르가슴. (various references) | |
Manx | raght (blaze of anger, burst, nature, sexual climax, spasm, violent emotion, wave of emotion), attys (puffiness). (various references) | |
Pig Latin | orgasmay.(various references) | |
Portuguese | orgasmo. (various references) | |
Romanian | orgasm. (various references) | |
Russian | оргазм. (various references) | |
Serbo-Croatian | orgazam. (various references) | |
Spanish | orgasmo (climax). (various references) | |
Swedish | orgasm. (various references) | |
Turkish | orgazm, boşalma (climax, discharge, ejaculation, empty, shot). (various references) | |
Ukrainian | оргазм. (various references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references. | ||
| Language | Period | Translations |
| Greek | 700 BCE-300 CE | orgasmos. (various references) |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
Derivations | |
Words beginning with "orgasm": orgasmic, orgasms. (additional references) | |
Words ending with "orgasm": superorgasm. (additional references) | |
Words containing "orgasm": multiorgasmic, nonorgasmic, postorgasmic, superorgasms. (additional references) | |
| |
"Orgasm" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: ogams, ogas, Orams, orbas, oregas, orga, orgaism, orgamsm, orgamy, organsm, orgasam, orgasamed, orgasem, orgasim, orgasme, orgasmed, orgasming, orgasmo, orgasom, orgasum, orgasym, orgaxsm, Orgaz, orgazm, orras. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
| # of Phoneme Matches | Pronunciation | Word(s) rhyming with "orgasm" (pronounced ô"rgazum) |
| 3 | -z u m | absenteeism, absolutism, abolitionism, activism, adventurism, agrarianism, alcoholism, altruism, amateurism, anachronism, aneurism, animism, antagonism, aphorism, astigmatism, atavism, atheism, authoritarianism, autism, baptism, barbarism, bilingualism, bolshevism, boosterism, bosom, botulism, mechanism, mercantilism, mesmerism, metabolism, methodism, microcosm, microorganism, militarism, minimalism, modernism, monasticism, monetarism, monism, monotheism, moralism, multiculturalism, multilateralism, mutualism, mysticism, narcissism, nationalism, nativism, naturalism, negativism, neoplasm, nepotism, neutralism, nihilism, obstructionism, opportunism, optimism, organism, ostracism, overoptimism, pacifism, paganism, parallelism, parkinsonism, parochialism, pastoralism, paternalism, patriotism, perfectionism, pessimism, phantasm, pharisaism, pietism, plagiarism, pluralism, polymorphism, polytheism, populism, positivism, pragmatism, prism, professionalism, protectionism, provincialism, puritanism, racialism, racism, radicalism, realism, cannibalism, capitalism, careerism, catechism, centralism, chasm, chauvinism, classicism, collectivism, colonialism, commercialism, communism, conservatism, consumerism, corporatism, counterterrorism, creationism, criticism, cronyism, cubism, cynicism, cytoplasm, dandyism, defeatism, deism, despotism, determinism, diamagnetism, diastrophism, dimorphism, dogmatism, Druidism, dualism, dwarfism, dynamism, egalitarianism, egoism, egotism, electromagnetism, elitism, embolism, emotionalism, empiricism, enthusiasm, entrepreneurialism, environmentalism, ergotism, eroticism, escapism, ethnocentrism, euphemism, evangelism, expansionism, expressionism, extremism, factionalism, fanaticism, fascism, fatalism, favoritism, federalism, feminism, ferromagnetism, fetishism, feudalism, formalism, fundamentalism, futurism, geotropism, gnosticism, gradualism, hedonism, helotism, heroism, hooliganism, humanism, hypnotism, iconoclasm, idealism, illusionism, imperialism, impressionism, incrementalism, individualism, intellectualism, internationalism, interventionism, Irredentism, ism, isolationism, isomorphism, jingoism, journalism, leftism, legalism, lesbianism, liberalism, lyricism, magnetism, mannerism, masochism, materialism, recidivism, relativism, republicanism, revisionism, rheumatism, romanticism, sadism, sarcasm, satanism, schism, sectarianism, secularism, sensationalism, separatism, sexism, skepticism, socialism, spasm, statism, stoicism, supernaturalism, surrealism, symbolism, synergism, territorialism, terrorism, theism, tokenism, totalitarianism, tourism, truism, unionism, vandalism, vegetarianism, vigilantism, voluntarism, volunteerism, voyeurism. |
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits. | ||
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "a-g-m-o-r-s" | |
-1 letter: grams, moras, ogams, roams. | |
-2 letters: arms, gams, gars, goas, gram, mags, mars, moas, mogs, mora, mors, oars, ogam, osar, rags, rams, roam, roms, sago, smog, soar, soma, sora. | |
-3 letters: ago, arm, ars, gam, gar, gas, goa, gor, gos, mag, mar, mas, moa, mog, mor, mos, oar, oms, ora, ors, rag, ram, ras, rom. | |
| Words containing the letters "a-g-m-o-r-s" | |
+1 letter: glamors, isogram, morgans, orgasms. | |
+2 letters: algorism, angstrom, bagworms, fromages, gasiform, glamours, gomerals, gormands, gossamer, gouramis, grograms, homagers, isograms, moorages, organism, organums, orgasmic, origamis, programs, sagamore, sonogram. | |
+3 letters: aerograms, algorisms, angstroms, armigeros, barograms, beglamors, bergamots, broughams, dragomans, echograms, embargoes, gammoners, gapeworms, gasometer, gladsomer, glamorise, glamorous, gossamers, gossamery, gouramies, gourmands, groomsman, histogram, holograms, ideograms, ignoramus, kilograms, kymograms, logograms, mangroves, marigolds, martagons, megaspore, migrators, monograms, mortgages, myographs, nanograms, nomograms, ondograms, organisms, origanums, picograms, ransoming, renograms, sagamores, scalogram, sociogram, sonograms, strongman, tomograms, venograms, zymograms. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
| 1. Definition 2. Synonyms 3. Crosswords 4. Usage: Modern | 5. Usage: Commercial 6. Quotations: Familiar 7. Quotations: Non-fiction 8. Quotations: Spoken | 9. Usage Frequency 10. Expressions 11. Expressions: Internet 12. Translations: Modern | 13. Translations: Ancient 14. Derivations 15. Rhymes 16. Anagrams | 17. Bibliography |
Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
