courtesan

[ kawr-tuh-zuhn, kur- ]

noun

1. (especially in historical use) a mistress, paramour, or prostitute, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth.

courtesan

/ ˌkɔːtɪˈzæn /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a prostitute, or the mistress of a man of rank

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtesan¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana, literally, “woman of the court,” derivative of corte court

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtesan¹

C16: from Old French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana female courtier, from cortigiano courtier, from corte court

Example Sentences

Like courtesans in a ballroom, each protein bounces around the cell, temporarily grabbing onto another protein before leaving them to find the next.

From Singularity Hub 

Kushiel’s Dart, a story of courtesans, angels, politics, and intrigue, focuses on the unlikely heroine Phèdre nó Delaunay, who is born with a red mote in her eye—which portends that she is destined to find pleasure in pain.

From Time

She introduces us to explorers, pilots, warriors, spies, writers, queens, traitors, courtesans, athletes and politicians we’ve not heard of before.

From Washington Post

Tonya Jone Miller, who describes herself as an “aural courtesan,” has run the Bay City Blues sex-line for nine years.

From The Daily Beast

She killed herself in 1925 and she also may have been a courtesan, I discovered a few years ago.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, Violet is kidnapped and solid to a rival courtesan house, where she is trained by an older courtesan named Magic Gourd.

From The Daily Beast

The look was inspired by Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and the World War I spy Mata Hari.

From The Daily Beast

The Girl Who Loved Camellias by Julie Kavanagh The courtesan who seduced Paris—and inspired Dumas and La Traviata.

From The Daily Beast

But to be really loved by a courtesan: that is a victory of infinitely greater difficulty.

From Project Gutenberg

Couture was always welcome at the home of the courtesan, who dreamed, perhaps, of making him her husband.

From Project Gutenberg

First I hated you, when I dreamed you to be but a courtesan traitress.

From Project Gutenberg

Wilhelmine turned to her and, bending, kissed the old courtesan on the brow.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, they are on a level with the common, paid courtesan,—the lowest rank there is.

From Project Gutenberg