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courtesan

cour·te·san
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [kawr-tuh-zuh n, kohr-, kur-]
    • /ˈkɔr tə zən, ˈkoʊr-, ˈkɜr-/
    • /ˌkɔː.tɪˈzæn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kawr-tuh-zuh n, kohr-, kur-]
    • /ˈkɔr tə zən, ˈkoʊr-, ˈkɜr-/

Definitions of courtesan word

  • countable noun courtesan In former times, a courtesan was a woman who had sexual relationships with rich and powerful men for money. 3
  • noun courtesan (esp formerly) a prostitute, or the mistress of a man of rank 3
  • noun courtesan a prostitute; esp., a mistress of a king, or a man of wealth or nobility 3
  • noun courtesan a prostitute or paramour, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth. 1
  • noun courtesan A prostitute, especially one with wealthy or upper-class clients. 1
  • noun courtesan mistress of wealthy man 1

Information block about the term

Origin of courtesan

First appearance:

before 1540
One of the 30% oldest English words
1540-50; < Middle French courtisane < Italian cortigiana, literally, woman of the court, derivative of corte court

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Courtesan

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

courtesan popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

courtesan usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for courtesan

noun courtesan

  • prostitute — a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money; whore; harlot.
  • concubine — In former times, a concubine was a woman who lived with and had a sexual relationship with a man of higher social rank without being married to him.
  • whore — a person who engages in promiscuous sex for money; prostitute.
  • paramour — an illicit lover, especially of a married person.
  • mistress — a woman who has authority, control, or power, especially the female head of a household, institution, or other establishment.

Top questions with courtesan

  • what is a courtesan?
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  • how to become a courtesan?
  • what does courtesan mean?

See also

Matching words

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