Our Glossary
Dear readers! This glossary is created to explain the meanings of some terms used within the Whitewind CPED and does not in any way claim to be a universal explanation for common terms used in other communities. We want to convey information in the most accessible way and solely for this purpose we clarify the meaning of the terms introduced into circulation among our followers and adepts.
Alpha s-type – a status attributed to one s-type inside a dynamic with two or more s-types involved, that assumes all authority transfers over other s-types in the dynamic, according to the predetermined conditions.
Authority transfer – a temporary assignment of a determined decisional process from D-type to s-type. The execution s responsibility stays with the s-type but the outcome is solely the D-type s responsibility.
Bottom – a role that implies a free, conscious and consensual decision to negotiate and participate in a scene where a specific activity or activities involving elements of Power Exchange will be performed upon this person. The Bottom is receiving the actions.
Consent – a feeling embodied in the enthusiastic, sober, informed, voluntary, unambiguous, uncoerced, affirmative approval and concluded by a verbal or written agreement.
Consensual Power Exchange (CPE) – an act of equitable redistribution of decisional and executional powers based on the consent and personal needs of all the parties involved.
Consensual Power Exchange Dynamic (CPED) – a type of interpersonal relationship based on principles of CPE.
CPE Contract – a consensual, mutual agreement, in a verbal or a written form, that defines the elements of power exchange and all conditions that will apply for CPE Power Play.
D-type – a status attributed to a person who freely, consciously and consensually accepted to acquire certain or all decisional powers in a Consensual Power Exchange Dynamic offered by an s-type and lives the 24/7 NPE or TPE dynamic.
Decisional power – the ability to direct or influence the behavior of oneself, others or the course of events, according to a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration, based on a personal formal judgment, while maintaining responsibility for the result of the decision.
Executional power – the ability to act in a particular way, carried out or put into effect according to a provided plan, formulated order, or a set course of actions, while maintaining responsibility for the execution of the given directives.
Negotiated Power Exchange (NPE) in CPED – a type of CPED where one, few or most powers are redistributed between the participants on the 24/7 basis according to their statuses, yet with the preservation of the remaining powers by their original owners.
Petition – a formal “letter of offer” by a s-type to a D-type, where a s-type is presenting oneself by neatly describing the levels of experience and interests within power exchange, personal needs, wants, boundaries and limits regarding a potential dynamic, and precising the reasons of petitioning to this very D-type or the possible ways to potentially be of a service and best fit into the existing House.
Power Play – a particular act of communication involving the elements of CPE with pre-approved and determined roles and conditions for execution/termination of this act (negotiated scene, operation, process, chain of events, etc.).
Role – a temporary function, character, behavior pattern or part, performed in a particular act of communication (negotiated scene, operation, process, etc.), assigned or assumed, and determined by an individual’s need/want in a particular act of communication. Therefore: “Top”, “bottom” and “switch” are Roles.
S-type – a status attributed to a person who freely, consciously and consensually offered certain or all decisional powers in a Consensual Power Exchange Dynamic, was accepted by a D-type and lives the 24/7 NPE or TPE dynamic.
Status – a constant position or rank in relation to others, a relative and respective rank in a hierarchy, the permanent condition of a person towards all other participants. Therefore: “D-type” and “s-type” are Statuses.
Switch – a role that combines the characteristics of both Top and Bottom, depending on the situation or the episode of the scene, determined and agreed on beforehand.
Top – a role that implies a free, conscious and consensual decision to negotiate and participate in a scene where a specific activity, or activities, involving elements of Power Exchange will be performed by this person. The Top is performing the actions.
Total Power Exchange (TPE) in CPED – a type of CPED where all powers are redistributed between the participants on the 24/7 basis according to their statuses.