Definition

Noun: 1. A class of women considered to be of doubtful social standing and morality, often due to engaging in relationships with wealthy men outside of marriage. Historically, this term refers to women living on the fringes of respectable society, supported by lovers. 2. Any group or sphere that exists on the margins of a conventional or respectable society. This extended meaning can apply to activities, professions, or social circles.

Usage

• The term is used to describe a specific social class, particularly in a historical or literary context.
• It often carries connotations of glamour, moral ambiguity, and financial dependency.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe any marginal or morally ambiguous sphere.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In 19th-century Paris, the demimonde of courtesans and actresses fascinated and scandalized high society.
  • The novel explores the glittering but precarious lives of the demimonde.
  • Some critics argue that certain areas of the art world have become a modern demimonde, prioritizing scandal over substance.

Advanced Usage

• "The demimondaine": This is the singular term for a woman who belongs to the demimonde.
  • She was a famous demimondaine, known for her beauty and her wealthy patrons.

Variants and Related Words

• Demimondaine (noun): A woman belonging to the demimonde.
• Demi-monde (noun): An alternative spelling, often used to emphasize the French origin of the term.

Synonyms

• Courtesans: Women whose occupation involved being a companion, often with a sexual relationship, to wealthy men.
• Mistresses: Women having a sustained sexual relationship with a man who is usually married to someone else.
• The demi-world: A less common synonym.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning centers on a group of women whose lifestyle places them outside conventional social respectability, typically through financially supported romantic liaisons.
• The modern, figurative use extends this idea to any group or activity operating at the edge of mainstream acceptance, often with an air of disrepute or intrigue.

Noun

1. a class of woman not considered respectable because of indiscreet or promiscuous behavior