This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ghakko (talk | contribs) at 08:38, 18 July 2005 (Copyedit for neutrality; removed a redundant paragraph.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 08:38, 18 July 2005 by Ghakko (talk | contribs) (Copyedit for neutrality; removed a redundant paragraph.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) This article is about the word as used in BDSM. For other uses, see master.In BDSM, master is an term used to describe the dominant partner or "owner" in a master/slave relationship. It is normally used by the submissive partner as an honorific term, but does not necessarily imply any specific expertise, abilities or formal training. This is often a potential source of confusion.
The term "master" can be gender-independent but is mostly used only in reference to males. There is otherwise no male-specific equivalent. The female equivalent is mistress or possibly dominatrix.
Some people enjoy the connotations of servitude or submission in calling their partner "master", or being called "master". To others, the ritual of such a formal mode of address may be appealing. It may also useful in building roles in which one partner or the other may indulge in sadistic or masochistic desires.
Although the master is understood to have authority over the slave in some sense, this never extends to one's legal rights and thus there must always be an implicit element of consent involved.
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