courtesan

[ 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

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

And when the Parisian crowds rolled into the Salon of 1865, they too went berserk in front of Édouard Manet’s painting of a courtesan, her maid and her high-strung black cat.

From New York Times