hetaera
[ hi-teer-uh ]
/ hɪˈtɪər ə /
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noun, plural he·tae·rae [hi-teer-ee]. /hɪˈtɪər i/.
a highly cultured courtesan or concubine, especially in ancient Greece.
any woman who uses her beauty and charm to obtain wealth or social position.
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Also hetaira.
Origin of hetaera
First recorded in 1810–20, hetaera is from the Greek word hetaíra (feminine) companion
OTHER WORDS FROM hetaera
he·tae·ric, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use hetaera in a sentence
The only women who were, to some extent, appreciated for their own sakes, were the Greek hetaerae.
The Evolution of Love|Emil Lucka
British Dictionary definitions for hetaera
hetaera
hetaira (hɪˈtaɪrə)
/ (hɪˈtɪərə) /
noun plural -taerae (-ˈtɪəriː) or -tairai (-ˈtaɪraɪ)
(esp in ancient Greece) a female prostitute, esp an educated courtesan
Derived forms of hetaera
hetaeric or hetairic, adjectiveWord Origin for hetaera
C19: from Greek hetaira concubine
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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