/ ˈkɔːr.t̬ə.zæn / add to word list a woman, usually with a high social position, who in the past had sexual relationships with rich or important men in exchange for money (definition of courtesan from the cambridge advanced learner's dictionary & thesaurus © cambridge university press) One associating with noblemen or men of wealth Meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the oxford english dictionary Definition of courtesan noun in oxford advanced learner's dictionary Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. The parisian courtesan after a sojourn in london, where she secured the financial support of two wealthy english admirers who provided her with annuities, catherine arrived in paris around 1782
From the renaissance on, european kings and noblemen often kept a courtesan, that is, a woman with whom they had a relationship but were not married to The courtesan got her name quite literally from the royal court where she lived. A woman prostitute, especially one whose clients are members of a royal court or men of high social standing.
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