demimonde

- 2 dictionary results

dem⋅i⋅monde

[dem-ee-mond; Fr. duh-mee-mawnd]

–noun

1.	(esp. during the last half of the 19th century) a class of women who have lost their standing in respectable society because of indiscreet behavior or sexual promiscuity.

2.	a demimondaine.

3.	prostitutes or courtesans in general.

4.	a group whose activities are ethically or legally questionable: a demimonde of investigative journalists writing for the sensationalist tabloids.

5.	a group characterized by lack of success or status: the literary demimonde.

Origin:
1850–55; < F, equiv. to demi- demi- + monde world (< L mundus)

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

dem·i·monde (děm'ē-mŏnd')

1. A class of women kept by wealthy lovers or protectors.
2. Women prostitutes considered as a group.
A group whose respectability is dubious or whose success is marginal: the literary demimonde of ghost writers, hacks, and publicists. Also called demiworld.

[French demi-monde : demi-, demi- + monde, world (from Latin mundus).]

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