sadism
The origin and history of sadism.
Etymology
Named after the Marquis de Sade, an 18th-century French writer notorious for depicting cruelty and violence in his work; the term was coined in French in the 19th century and later popularized by psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing.
Class of 1700
sadism first entered the language around 1700. Other words from the same year:
See the full Class of 1700 →