demimonde

English

/ˈdɛmiːmɒnd/, /ˈdɛmiˌmɑnd/

noun
Definitions
  • (chiefly) A class of women maintained by wealthy protectors; female courtesans or prostitutes as a group.
  • (by extension) A group having little respect or reputation.
  • (by extension) A member of such a class or group of persons.

Etymology

Borrowed from French demi-monde (half-world).

Origin

French

demi-monde

Gloss

half-world

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms