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meretrix — meaning in English

Latin → English · translate English → Latin instead

English meaning

  • courtesan noun Historically, a woman — often glamorous and educated — who had wealthy or high-status men as lovers or clients, sometimes at a royal court.
  • harlot noun An old-fashioned, disapproving term for a prostitute or a woman considered sexually promiscuous.
  • prostitute noun A person who has sex with others in exchange for money.

Senses

meretrix is used for these senses in English:

  • courtesan A female prostitute, especially one with high-status or wealthy clients.
  • harlot (obsolete) A churl; a common man; a person, male or female, of low birth, especially one given to low conduct.
  • prostitute A person who does, or offers to do, a demeaning or dishonourable activity for money or personal gain; someone who acts in a dishonourable way for personal advantage. [from 17th c.]

Related Latin words