courtesan
or cour·te·zan
[ kawr-tuh-zuhn, kohr-, kur- ]
/ ˈkɔr tə zən, ˈkoʊr-, ˈkɜr- /
noun
a prostitute or paramour, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth.
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Origin of courtesan
1540–50; <Middle French courtisane<Italian cortigiana, literally, woman of the court, derivative of cortecourt
Words nearby courtesan
court cupboard, court dance, court dress, Courtelle, courteous, courtesan, courtesy, courtesy car, courtesy card, courtesy light, courtesy title
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for courtesan
British Dictionary definitions for courtesan
courtesan
courtezan
/ (ˌkɔːtɪˈzæn) /
noun
(esp formerly) a prostitute, or the mistress of a man of rank
Word Origin for courtesan
C16: from Old French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana female courtier, from cortigiano courtier, from corte court
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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