Mata Hari

[mah-tuh hahr-ee, mat-uh har-ee]

noun

1. Gertrud Margarete Zelle, 1876–1917, Dutch dancer in France: executed as a spy by the French.

Mata Hari

/ ˈmɑːtə ˈhɑːrɪ /

noun

1. real name Gertrud Margarete Zelle. 1876–1917, Dutch dancer in France, who was executed as a German spy in World War I

Mata Hari

1. A Dutch spy who worked for both the French and the Germans during World War I. The French executed her in 1917.

A “Mata Hari” is a seductive, double-dealing woman.

Example Sentences

Even so, she told “60 Minutes,” “I’m not a spy. I’m not Mata Hari. I’m not sexual maniac like people say about me. Do I look like I’m a sexual maniac?”

From Los Angeles Times

González did learn about Stewart’s life and work, as well as other women in the SOE, including Virginia Hall, Nancy Wake and Mata Hari.

From Los Angeles Times

The iconic building has hosted many authors and artists throughout its history, including Ernest Hemingway, Mata Hari and Greta Garbo.

From New York Times

A native of Sweden, Garbo starred in both silent and sound films with iconic roles in “Ninotchka,” “Camille,” “Queen Christie” and “Mata Hari.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Mata Hari,” which means “eye of the day” in Malay, is one of many ceremonial cloths of a similar design crafted in India for Indonesian buyers.

From Washington Post