souteneur means A man who protects, and commonly compels, a prostitute of any gender and lives off the earnings; a pimp. Originally a Parisian term, but since adopted into other languages such as English. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.
Why “souteneur” is a great word
SOUTENEUR — [Noun] A man who lives off the earnings of a prostitute by offering protection and often exerting control; a pimp. From French souteneur, from the verb soutenir ("to support") + the agent suffix -eur; literally meaning "one who supports". First attested in English in 1906. Unlike a procurer, who focuses on supply, or a madam, who denotes a female manager, the souteneur implies a personal, parasitic custodianship. He is the shadow in the doorway of the Montmartre maison close, the hand collecting francs in a smoke-filled café, the possessive arm draped over a shoulder—a grim parody of support where the currency is fear, masquerading as care.
noun
- A man who protects, and commonly compels, a prostitute of any gender and lives off the earnings; a pimp. Originally a Parisian term, but since adopted into other languages such as English.“The souteneur ... though he lives in comparative comfort from what his mistress gives him, he rarely makes a big haul. His mistress gone, the pot ceases to boil; in fact, he calls her his marmite.”