odalisque

or o·da·lisk

[ ohd-l-isk ]

noun

1. a female slave or concubine in a harem, especially in that of the sultan of Turkey.
2. (initial capital letter) any of a number of representations of such a woman or of a similar subject, as by Ingres or Matisse.

odalisque

/ ˈəʊdəlɪsk /

noun

1. a female slave or concubine

Word History and Origins

Origin of odalisque¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from French, alteration of earlier odalique (with -s- perhaps from -esque -esque ) from Turkish odalιk “female slave, concubine,” equivalent to oda “room, chamber” + -lιk a noun suffix indicating relationship or origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of odalisque¹

C17: via French, changed from Turkish ōdalik, from ōdah room + -lik n suffix

Example Sentences

Otherwise the relation degrades her; she is little better than an odalisque; and such I decline to see you.

From Project Gutenberg

Alone with the girl, Sturm put on the airs of a Prussianized pasha condescending to a new odalisque.

From Project Gutenberg

The Odalisque's only reply was a laugh, in which rang all the cruelty of an insulted woman's deceived heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Lonely as I then was, an odalisque would have afforded a great deal of company.

From Project Gutenberg

And finally by an odalisque, who fills his goblet with the foaming infusion of malt and hops.

From Project Gutenberg