Language
The Lexicon
The Lexicon preserves the language of the Lifestyle — its words, concepts and traditions. It records meaning; it never prescribes practice. Where usage varies between Houses or lineages, each is set down with equal respect.
Alphabetical
Entries beginning with D
D/s (Dominance and submission)
A relationship centred on the exchange of dominance and submission, whether within scenes or across daily life.
Relationships
Daily Protocol
Set of routine expectations that structure day-to-day conduct within a dynamic or household.
Protocol
Daughters of Bilitis
The Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) was the first national lesbian civil rights organization in the United States. Founded in 1955, it provided social support, education, and advocacy for lesbian women during a period of widespread discrimination. Although not a BDSM or Leather organization, its work helped establish the social and political conditions from which later lesbian Leather and BDSM communities would emerge.
History
DDlg
Abbreviation for a caregiver dynamic pairing a Daddy Dom with a little girl.
Relationships
Decorative Rope
Rope work whose primary intent is visual rather than structural or restrictive.
Practices
Deer Play
Animal-role practice centred on deer or fawn personas.
Practices
Degradation
Play that uses language or acts intended to diminish status within a consented frame.
Psychology
Demonstration
A shown scene or technique, typically by a teacher, for the instruction or appreciation of an audience.
Community
Devotion
Sustained orientation of care, loyalty and attention toward another within an authority-based relationship.
Psychology
Discipline
The use of correction and structure within a dynamic to reinforce agreed expectations.
Practices
DM
Abbreviation for a trained volunteer whose role is to safeguard the wellbeing of participants at a play event or party.
Community
Dog Play
General canine animal-role practice, often used interchangeably with Puppy Play.
Practices
Dom Drop
A period of low mood or depletion experienced by a Dominant after a scene.
Psychology
Domestic Authority
The exercise of leadership within the domestic sphere of a household.
Relationships
Domestic Inspection
Formal review of household order, service or presentation carried out by the leader.
Ceremonies
Domestic Protocol
Formal expectations governing conduct and service within the domestic sphere of a household.
Protocol
Domestic Service
Service oriented to the daily practical needs of a household.
Protocol
Dominance Signals
Embodied cues that express dominance, presence or the assumption of a leading role within primal contexts.
Communication
Dominant
A person who takes an authoritative, directing role in a consensual power dynamic.
Roles
Dominatrix
Traditional title for a female Dominant, historically associated with professional practice.
Roles
Domme
Common contemporary term for a female Dominant.
Roles
Domspace
The altered psychological state a Dominant may enter during a scene.
Psychology
Dragon Play
Fantasy-animal role practice centred on dragon personas.
Practices
Dragon Tail
A short whip terminating in a single flat leather triangle.
Equipment
Dress Code
Set of standards governing attire within a dynamic, household or event.
Symbols
Dressage Pony
A Human Pony specialising in dressage-style routines emphasising precision, movement and control.
Roles
Driver
A participant who drives a Human Pony from a cart or on long reins.
Roles
Driving
The activity of guiding a Human Pony from a cart or on long reins.
Practices
Driving Cart
A wheeled cart designed to be drawn by a Human Pony.
Equipment
Drop
A generic term for post-scene emotional or physiological low.
Psychology
Dungeon
A dedicated space, private or communal, equipped for BDSM scenes.
Equipment
Dungeon Etiquette
The shared conventions governing conduct within a play space.
Etiquette
Dungeon Monitor
A designated volunteer responsible for safety and etiquette in a play space.
Community
Dynamic
The particular shape a relationship takes: who holds which role, in what areas, under what terms.
Relationships