Definition

Noun: 1. A female slave or concubine in a harem, especially in the former Ottoman Empire: Historically, an odalisque was a woman who served in the private quarters of a sultan or wealthy man, often as an attendant or concubine, within a harem system.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The painting depicted an odalisque reclining on a divan.
  • In the 19th century, many European artists were fascinated by the exotic image of the odalisque.

Advanced Usage

• Art Historical Context: In Western art, particularly during the Orientalist movement of the 19th century, "odalisque" became a common subject, often portrayed in a romanticized or exoticized manner, emphasizing leisure and sensuality rather than the reality of servitude.
  • Ingres's famous painting "La Grande Odalisque" is a prime example of this artistic genre.

Variants and Related Words

• Harem (n): The separate part of a Muslim household reserved for wives, concubines, and female servants; the institution or system itself.
• Concubine (n): A woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives.

Synonyms

• Harem woman
• Female slave (in a harem)
• Concubine (Note: This is a close synonym but not always identical, as an odalisque could be an attendant not necessarily in a sexual role.)

Idioms and Phrases

(This word is highly specific and is not commonly used in idiomatic English phrases.)

Noun

1. a woman slave in a harem