courtezan

courtezan

A wealthy merchant converses with a courtezan in an elegant salon.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A courtesan: a woman who is a prostitute, especially one who has a high social status or is associated with wealthy or influential clients. This term historically referred to a mistress or a woman who engaged in sexual relationships for money and gifts, often in a refined or luxurious context.
Usage Examples
  • (A high-status prostitute in a historical context.)
  • (A woman who traded companionship and intimacy for wealth and status.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be a courtesan": to occupy the role of a high-class prostitute or mistress.

    • She was known as a courtesan to the aristocracy, attending their salons and private gatherings. (She provided companionship and sexual services to the upper class.)

  • "courtesan culture": the social and historical phenomenon of courtesans as figures in art, literature, and society.

    • The courtesan culture of the French Rococo period often blurred the lines between art and sexuality. (The practices and representations of high-status prostitutes in that era.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Courtesan (n) (variant spelling): the same word, with the same meaning.
    • The spelling "courtezan" is an older or alternative form of "courtesan". (Both refer to a high-class prostitute.)
Synonyms
  • Mistress: a woman who is in a long-term sexual relationship with a married man, often receiving financial support.
  • Demimonde: a class of women who are supported by wealthy lovers, often associated with courtesans.
  • Prostitute: a more general term for someone who engages in sexual activity for payment, though "courtesan" implies higher social standing.
Related Idioms

  • "A courtesan's smile": a phrase describing a seductive or insincere expression used to manipulate others.

    • Her greeting was like a courtesan's smile — warm but calculated. (A fake, strategic charm.)

  • "Courtesan's bargain": an arrangement where pleasure or intimacy is exchanged for material gain.

    • Their relationship was a courtesan's bargain: she offered companionship in exchange for luxury. (A transactional relationship.)