bourgeoise

[ boor-zhwahz, boor-zhwahz; French boor-zhwaz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural bour·geois·es [boor, -zhwah-ziz, b, oo, r-, zhwah, -ziz, boo, r, -, zhwaz].

a female member of the bourgeoisie:
As a bourgeoise herself, it was her constant policy to elevate and extend the influence of the middle classes.
The simpler clothes marked her out as a working-class woman rather than a bourgeoise.

(of a woman, women's concerns, etc.) having, reflecting, or relating to conventional tastes, opinions, and values believed to be determined mainly by a concern for respectability and material wealth; middle-class:
The movie has to do with careers, fashion, and emotional relationships among mostly idle, rich, bourgeoise females.
The two women promptly joined corporate law firms, got plastic surgery, and are now enjoying a perfectly wonderful bourgeoise lifestyle.
(of a woman, women's concerns, etc.) belonging to, characteristic of, or consisting of members of the middle class, especially as viewed in Marxist theory; concerned with ownership of property and maintenance of the status quo, and having or catering to interests opposed to those of the lower or working class:
The romance between these revolutionary youths and bourgeoise women was motivated by a longing for a life of danger.
Socialist critics called the activist Women's Club a bourgeoise organization.

First recorded in 1755–65; from French; feminine of bourgeois ¹

Another example of the beneficial effects of the Pincio on the bourgeoise, thought Rocjean.

Before my dinner (about seven oclock) I splash about in the bourgeoise waves of the Seine.

Her name was Marguerite La Touroulde; she was damiselle, not dame; a comfortable bourgeoise and that was all.

There was no sign of Sullivan, or of his partner, or of his partner's mother, the bourgeoise with the green fan.

They belonged evidently to the small bourgeoise class, and sat very quietly in the corner of the carriage, speaking to no one.

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