masturbate
UK: ˈmæstəbeɪt | US: ˈmæstərbeɪt
vi. to stimulate one's own genitals for sexual pleasure
vt. to stimulate (someone else's genitals) manually
The word "masturbate" originates from Latin masturbari, a compound of mastos (breast) and urbare (to disturb). The original meaning may have referred to manual stimulation, though folk etymology later falsely linked it to manus (hand) + stuprare (to defile). The modern sense of self-stimulation emerged by the 18th century.
Some primates masturbate as part of their natural behavior.
The therapist discussed healthy attitudes toward masturbation.
Ancient texts occasionally reference masturbation rituals.
He felt no shame about masturbating as a stress reliever.
The study analyzed cultural taboos surrounding masturbation.