courtesan
Courtesan (noun) means Historically, a woman — often glamorous and educated — who had wealthy or high-status men as lovers or clients, sometimes at a royal court. Example: “The novel is set in the world of Venetian courtesans during the Renaissance.”
How to use courtesan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA historical term for a woman who had relationships with wealthy or noble men, often in exchange for support.
Word forms
- Plural
- courtesans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The novel is set in the world of Venetian _____ during the Renaissance.
Etymology
From Middle French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana (feminine of cortigiano, "courtier"), ultimately from "court."