I. ˈflajələnt, fləˈjel- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin flagellant-, flagellans, present participle of flagellare to whip
: one that whips: as
a. usually capitalized : a member of one of the organized groups that since the 12th century have practiced self-castigation as a religious rite
b. : a person who responds sexually to being beaten by or to beating another person
• flag·el·lant·ism -ənˌtizəm noun -s
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin flagellant-, flagellans
1. : flagellating, lashing
a vicious flagellant speech
2. : believing in or practicing flagellation