IC :
BDSM Dictionary : Dominant : ICcode
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.
This is the version from 26 Jan 06, 11:46 AM. The full history of this entry will show any more recent versions.
[heading]Adjective "Being" [b]dominant[/b] is about exercising influence or control. Governing matters; being in charge. Predisposed to taking over and wanting to maintain power. [heading]Noun In [about=BDSM]BDSM[/about], "a" [b]dominant[/b] is a person who takes the dominant role for the duration of a [about=scene]scene[/about] or is a dominant partner within a [about=power exchange]power exchange[/about] relationship. This term can be associated with being on the giving or controlling end of bondage, discipline or sadism but a dominant's activities might not include any of these. A dominant need not be a [about=Top (sex)]sexual top[/about]; for example, a female dominant may command her [about=submissive]submissive[/about] to penetrate her. The term dominant as a noun is mostly synonymous with [about=Dom]Dom[/about] but some people use it more widely to denote anyone disposed to be dominant and would therefore say that a dominant might be a [about=Top (BDSM)]Top[/about], a [about=Dom]Dom[/about] or a [about=Master]Master[/about]. Note that some partners like to switch roles from one encounter to the other, or even during a single encounter, depending on mood and preference. See [about=switch]switch[/about]. [b]Dominant behaviour[/b] A dominant person enjoys being in control of a [about=Submissive#Adjective]submissive[/about] person. Reasons for this are said to include demonstrating skill and [about=power]power[/about], having [about=ownership]ownership[/about] of another person, and being the object of affection and devotion. [about=Domination]Domination[/about] may be the way in which the dominant feels most comfortable expressing and/or receiving affection. [about=Service oriented top]Service oriented dominants[/about] would add that it is obviously useful to have the resources and abilities of another human at their disposal. There may be other motives, including pleasure taken not only in sheer power but in the [about=Sadist]suffering[/about] of others, thrill seeking in taking risks and outright self destructiveness. That is why many in the BDSM community are concerned with establishing the motivations of those involved in an [about=scene]encounter[/about] and advise [about=safe]caution[/about] in making BDSM connections. [heading]See also [item] [about=BDSM Roles]BDSM Roles[/about] [item] [about=Top (BDSM)]Top[/about] [item] [about=Dom]Dom[/about] [about=Domme]Domme[/about] [about=Dominatrix]Dominatrix[/about] [item] [about=Master (BDSM)]Master[/about] [about=Mistress]Mistress[/about] [item] [about=Sadist]Sadist[/about] [item] [about=Domination and submission]Domination and submission[/about] (This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the [url=http://www.londonfetishscene.com/wipi/index.php/Dominant]Dominant[/url] article in Wipipedia.)
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