harlot

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   dated and offensive: a woman described as a prostitute or as sexually promiscuous

   The historical novel uses harlot as an insult hurled at the accused woman.

2. 2
   noun

   obsolete: a rogue, vagabond, or person of low character

   In the medieval text, harlot refers to a disreputable male servant rather than a woman.

Simplified etymology

Harlot was a 13th-century insult for a male beggar or villain. It later denoted a jester, comedian, or male servant before acquiring the sense “promiscuous woman” in the early 15th century.

From Middle English harlot and Old French harlot or herlot ("vagabond, rogue"), of uncertain origin. The word originally referred to a person of low status or conduct; its specifically sexual and female sense developed later.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary