a female slave or concubine in a harem, esp. in that of the sultan of Turkey.
2.
(initial capital letter) any of a number of representations of such a woman or of a similar subject, as by Ingres or Matisse.
Also, o⋅da⋅lisk.
Origin: 1675–85; < F, alter. of earlier odalique (with -s- perh. from -esque-esque) < Turk odalιk concubine, equiv. to oda room + -lιk n. suffix of appurtenance
1681, "female slave in a harem," from Fr. odalisque (1664), from Turk. odaliq "maidservant," from odah "room in a harem," lit. "chamber, hall" + -liq, suffix expressing function. In Fr., the suffix was confused with Gk. -isk(os) "of the nature of, belonging to."