courtesan

Sometimes cour·te·zan

[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

His female companion, Mumtaz Begum, 22, was a courtesan on the run from the harem of a princely state and had been staying with Bawla for the last few months.

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Instead, it brings the 17th century society vividly to life through a historically accurate spoken and visual language, which includes thousands of costumes for warlords, armies, peasants, courtesans and a bunch of shipwrecked European sailors.

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With every one of his 18 viewings of “Mughal-e-Azam,” a hit 1960 musical about a forbidden romance between a prince and a courtesan, the young boy fell more in love.

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After learning to read and write, she grasps the realities of her situation and organizes with her fellow courtesans to pursue freedom.

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A drawing of a partially nude courtesan, reportedly found in present-day Cairo, likely dates to the 10th to 12th centuries.

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