demirep

American  

[dem-ee-rep] / ˈdɛm iˌrɛp /

noun

1. a demimondaine.

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demirep British  

/ ˈdɛmɪˌrɛp /

noun

1. rare a woman of bad repute, esp a prostitute

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Etymology

Origin of demirep

First recorded in 1740–50; short for demi-reputation

Example Sentences

Like Lady Booby in Joseph Andrews, she is not a pleasant character; but the picture of the fashionable demirep, cynical, sensual, and imperious, has never been drawn more vigorously, or more completely—even by Balzac.

From Fielding by Dobson, Austin

This small square room with the heavy furniture that occupied so much of the space had no demirep demeanor.

From Sinister Street, vol. 2 by MacKenzie, Compton

He and his brother, offspring of a lady's maid and an old demirep, owed to their inheritance of a scabrous library the foundations of material prosperity.

From Carnival by MacKenzie, Compton

Around, around, they waltzed and wound; Some wheeled in smirking pairs: With the mincing step of demirep Some sidled up the stairs: And with subtle sneer, and fawning leer, Each helped us at our prayers.

From Ballad of Reading Gaol by Wilde, Oscar