Finesentence logo

Flagellation: meaning, definitions and examples

🪢
Add to dictionary

flagellation

 

[ flædʒəˈleɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious practice

Flagellation refers to the act of whipping or flogging oneself, often as a form of religious penance or self-discipline. Historically, it has been employed in various religious traditions as a means of purifying the soul or seeking forgiveness for sins.

Synonyms

flogging, scourging, whipping

Examples of usage

  • He practiced flagellation as a form of devotion.
  • In medieval times, flagellation was common among certain sects.
  • The artist depicted scenes of flagellation in his paintings.
  • Some believe flagellation can lead to spiritual awakening.

Translations

Translations of the word "flagellation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 flagelação

🇮🇳 झगड़ा

🇩🇪 Flagellierung

🇮🇩 flagelasi

🇺🇦 бичування

🇵🇱 fladrowanie

🇯🇵 鞭打ち

🇫🇷 flagellation

🇪🇸 flagelación

🇹🇷 dövme

🇰🇷 채찍질

🇸🇦 الجلد

🇨🇿 bičování

🇸🇰 bičovanie

🇨🇳 鞭打

🇸🇮 bičanje

🇮🇸 flagellatión

🇰🇿 соққы

🇬🇪 საჯდომო

🇦🇿 döymə

🇲🇽 flagelación

Word origin

The term 'flagellation' originates from the Latin word 'flagellatio', which means flogging or whipping. This word is derived from 'flagellare', meaning to whip or scourge, which itself comes from 'flagellum', meaning whip or lash. The use of flagellation as a practice dates back to ancient times, where it was often associated with purification rituals in various cultures. In the early Christian era, flagellation became notable as a form of penance, where individuals would inflict pain on themselves to atone for their sins. This practice was particularly emphasized during the Middle Ages and was often seen in the context of asceticism, where believers sought to demonstrate their devotion through physical suffering. Over time, flagellation has also been depicted in art and literature, reflecting its controversial status and its various interpretations across different cultures and religions.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,426 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.