courtesan
English
Etymology
Borrowed from French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana, feminine of cortigiano (“courtier”), from corte (“court”), itself from Latin cohors. More at English court.
Pronunciation
- (UK)(non-rhotic) IPA(key): /kɔːtɪˈzæn/, /ˈkɔːtɪzæn/, /ˈkɔːtɪzən/
- (UK)(rhotic) IPA(key): /kɔɹtɪˈzæn/, /ˈkɔɹtɪzæn/, /ˈkɔɹtɪzən/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈkɔɹtɪzən/, /ˈkɔɹtɪzæn/
Noun
courtesan (plural courtesans)
- (archaic) A woman of a royal or noble court.
- (dated) The mistress of a royal or noble.
- A female prostitute, especially one with high-status or wealthy clients.
Translations
woman of court
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high-status prostitute
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References
- courtesan in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913. (etymology)
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