prostitute
/ˈpɹɒstɪˌtjuːt/
prostitute means debased, corrupt; seeking personal gain by dishonourable means.
prostitute is pronounced /ˈpɹɒstɪˌtjuːt/.
Why “prostitute” is a great word
A person who engages in sexual activity for payment, or debased by engaging in any activity for personal gain. From Latin prōstitūtus, past participle of prōstituō, from prō- ('for, before') + statuō ('to set up, to erect'), first attested in English c. 1610. Unlike 'courtesan,' which suggests refinement and gilded patronage, or the clinical neutrality of 'sex worker,' 'prostitute' carries the ancient, brutal weight of the marketplace—the body set up for public sale. It is the red-lit doorway, the hurried transaction in a parked car, the soul made adjective for any virtue traded for gain: a word that is itself an artifact of exposure, the body both currency and prison.
Etymology
From Latin prōstitūtus, past participle of prōstituō, from prō̆ (“for, before”) + statuō (“to set up, to erect”).
adj
- Debased, corrupt; seeking personal gain by dishonourable means.e.g.“[H]e speaks a languages that merits not reply, and which can only excite contempt for his prostitute principles, or pity for his ignorance.” — 1791, Thomas Paine, Rights of Man:
- Taking part in promiscuous sexual activity, licentious; (later, chiefly as attributive use of noun) that is a prostitute.e.g.“They rightly say that attacks against prostitute women are common and that it's only when five are murdered in one place that it starts to provoke debate.” — 2008, Niki Adams, Lisa Longstaff, The Guardian, letters, 23 February:
- Exposed, subjected (to something shameful).
noun
- Any person (especially a woman) who has sexual intercourse or engages in other sexual activity for payment, especially as a means of livelihood.
- A woman who has sexual intercourse or engages in other sexual activity for payment, especially as a means of livelihood.
- A person who does, or offers to do, a demeaning or dishonourable activity for money or personal gain; someone who acts in a dishonourable way for personal advantage.e.g.“Kai Wen: Why not? You're nothing but a prostitute. / Vicky: How dare you call me a prostitute!” — 2013, Unknown, “Gang Clash resulting in the stabbing of one person”, in Crimewatch (Singaporean TV series), season 27, episode 3, spoken by Kai Wen and Vicky (Jernelle Oh and Shanice Koh):
verb
- To offer (oneself or someone else) for sexual activity in exchange for money.e.g.“Do not prostitute thy daughter.” — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Leviticus xix:29:
- To sacrifice (oneself, one's talents etc.) in return for profit or other advantage; to exploit for base purposes.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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