bawd

[ bawd ]
See synonyms for bawd on Thesaurus.com
nounArchaic.
  1. a woman who maintains a brothel; madam.

  2. a prostitute.

  1. a procuress.

Origin of bawd

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English bawde, noun use of Middle French baude, feminine of baud “jolly, dissolute,” from West Germanic; compare Old English bald bold

Words that may be confused with bawd

Words Nearby bawd

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How to use bawd in a sentence

  • Cartedcarried in a cart through the streets, by way of punishment or public exposure (especially as the punishment of a bawd).

    The Fatal Dowry | Philip Massinger
  • bawd prior to 1700 was a term applied to men as well asand, indeed, more frequently thanto women.

    The Fatal Dowry | Philip Massinger
  • At which the bawd look'd a little strangely upon him; I help you to one, Sir, said she?

  • You may depend upon it, says the bawd, that sh'll comply; but you must Fee her pretty high, or it won't do.

  • If I go out into the street and strike down a bawd—a thing lower than the lowest animal and more noxious—I hang.

British Dictionary definitions for bawd

bawd

/ (bɔːd) /


nounarchaic
  1. a person who runs a brothel, esp a woman

  2. a prostitute

Origin of bawd

1
C14: shortened from Old French baudetrot, from baude feminine of baud merry + trot one who runs errands; compare Old High German bald bold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012