Definition of Roles

I find that there is a lot of confusion and overlap in the way people define a number of the roles attributed to BDSM relationships. I believe that if there is no difference between two roles only 1 role is needed. Since there re multiple roles, there needs to be differences between them. I don't know that there is a wholly accepted definition for them so I have compiled a list of definitions for myself. The main criteria for me is that there had to be a logical progression and difference between the individual roles even though they share similarities. In most BDSM relationships, the roles are separated by a slash (M/s or D/s). The left side of the slash is generally the Top or Dominant side while the right side is considered the bottom or submissive. I will attempt to define these roles as well as their relationship to other roles in the BDSM relationship structure.

Top

Complimentary Role: bottom

The basic foundation of all the left side roles is the Top. This is the person that initiates and directs action. With this role there is no acceptance of responsibility for exchanged power, authority, or control. This role merely defines who is guiding the actions or events. 

Sadist

Complimentary Role: masochist

A Sadist is a person that enjoys inflicting pain and discomfort on others. Sadomasochism is very prevalent in BDSM but not all roles participate in this activity. This role does not accept responsibility for any exchange of power, authority, or control.

Dominant

Complimentary Role: submissive

The role of Dominant characterizes an exchange in power, authority, or control. Here one person is not only responsible for guiding the action or event, they accept responsibility for controlling aspects of another participant. This is the foundation of all power exchange dynamics.

Dom

Complimentary Role: sub

Although Dom is a prefix used in Latin to indicate a title roughly equivalent to Dominus, which loosely translates to master or owner, in terms of BDSM this would equate to merely someone that is assuming the Dominant role in the relationship on a limited basis. These limits are generally negotiated and agreed upon before the relationship begins and power, authority, or control is exchanged. The Dom accepts responsibility for physical, and sometimes other, aspects of the submissive participant to a specific limited and defined extent. The defining factors of this role are the limits placed on the amount or duration of the power exchange. Frequently the duration is limited to a given scene or while at a specific location.

Master

Complimentary Role: slave

A Master accepts complete responsibility for limited aspects of the complimentary participant. Unlike with a Dom, there are no limits to the exchanged power, authority, or control of the specifically negotiated aspects of the submissive participant. This can be limited to specific aspects of the participant, time frames, locations, or a specified duration. The participant may be submissive in other aspects as well but may not have agreed to a complete power exchange.

Owner

Complimentary Role: property

An owner is a Master that accepts a complete power, authority, and control for a consenting participant. Power, authority, and control for all aspects of the other participant are given to the Owner. There is no limits on extent, duration, location, or circumstance.

bottom

Complimentary Role: Top

The basic foundation of all the right side roles is the bottom. This is the person that receives and accepts action. With this role there is no exchanged power, authority, or control. This role merely defines who the actions or events are being done to. 

submissive

Complimentary Role: Dominant

The role of submissive characterizes an exchange in power, authority, or control. Here one person abdicates responsibility for guiding the action or event to another participant. This is the foundation of all power exchange dynamics.

sub

Complimentary Role: Dom

A sub is someone that is accepting the submissive role on a limited basis. Through negotiations with the Dominant participant, limits on the exchange of power, authority, and control over aspects of the sub are limited, defined, and determined. The defining factors of this role are the limits placed on the amount or duration of the power exchange. Frequently the duration is limited to a given scene or while at a specific location.

slave

Complimentary Role: Master

A slave relinquishes complete power, authority, and control to a Dominant over specifically negotiated and limited  aspects of the slave. This can be limited to specific aspects of the slave, time frames, locations, or a specified duration. The slave may be submissive in other aspects as well but may not have agreed to a complete power exchange.

property

Complimentary Role: Owner

A slave that is considered property relinquishes complete power, authority, and control for all aspects of themselves to another Dominant participant. There is no limits on extent, duration, location, or circumstance.