prostitute

comparative more prostitute · superlative most prostitute

1. obsoleteDebased, corrupt; seeking personal gain by dishonourable means.First known use 16th–19th c.

   [H]e speaks a languages that merits not reply, and which can only excite contempt for his prostitute principles, or pity for his ignorance.

   1791, Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

2. Taking part in promiscuous sexual activity, licentious; (later, chiefly as attributive use of noun) that is a prostitute.First known use 16th c.

   They rightly say that attacks against prostitute women are common and that it's only when five are murdered in one place that it starts to provoke debate.

   2008, Niki Adams, Lisa Longstaff, The Guardian, letters, 23 February

3. obsoleteExposed, subjected (to something shameful).First known use 16th–18th c.

   [A]nd novv at length all men of all Nations, not only Philoſophers, but even the vulgar, have, and doe ſtill deale vvith this [the subject of the book] as a matter of eaſe, expoſed and proſtitute to every Mother-vvit, and to be attained vvithout any great care or ſtudy, […]

   1651, Tho[mas] Hobbes, “The Authors Preface to the Reader.”, in Philosophicall Rudiments Concerning Government and Society. […], London: […] J[ohn] G[rismond] for R[ichard] Royston, […], →OCLC

plural prostitutes

1. Any person (especially a woman) who has sexual intercourse or engages in other sexual activity for payment, especially as a means of livelihood.First known use 18th c.

   Synonyms: sex worker

2. A woman who has sexual intercourse or engages in other sexual activity for payment, especially as a means of livelihood.First known use 17th c.

   Unfortunately, there is to my knowledge no visual evidence for the dress of the Roman prostitute, but the literary sources present us with a range of prostitute clothing (from rich accoutrements all the way down to nothing), […]

   2012, Kelly Olson, Dress and the Roman Woman: Self-Presentation and Society, page 50

3. A person who does, or offers to do, a demeaning or dishonourable activity for money or personal gain; someone who acts in a dishonourable way for personal advantage.First known use 17th c.

   Kai Wen: Why not? You're nothing but a prostitute. / Vicky: How dare you call me a prostitute!

   2013, Unknown, “Gang Clash resulting in the stabbing of one person”, in Crimewatch (Singaporean TV series), season 27, episode 3, spoken by Kai Wen and Vicky (Jernelle Oh and Shanice Koh)

   1 more example

   Madonna would do anything for money, you know, she's a total prostitute. And I've got nothing against prostitutes.

   2019 May 18, Jack Shepherd, quoting Bobby Gillespie, “Primal Scream frontman calls Madonna a 'total prostitute' for performing at Eurovision in Israel”, in The Independent

   Synonyms: sellout

present singular third person prostitutes · participle present prostituting · participle past prostituted · past prostituted

1. reflexivetransitiveTo offer (oneself or someone else) for sexual activity in exchange for money.First known use 16th c.

   Do not prostitute thy daughter.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Leviticus xix:29

   1 more example

   Gay prisoners who are being raped, prostituted, extorted, and even murdered by their straight counterparts

   1980 February 16, Ed Mead, “untitled”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 29, page 8

   Synonyms: sell one's body, pimp

2. derogatorytransitiveTo sacrifice (oneself, one's talents etc.) in return for profit or other advantage; to exploit for base purposes.

   [T]heſe, their rights / In the vile ſtreets they proſtitute to ſale; / Their ancient rights, their dignities, their laws, / Their native glorious freedom.

   1740, John Dyer, “The Ruins of Rome. A Poem.”, in Poems. … Viz. I. Grongar Hill. II. The Ruins of Rome. III. The Fleece, in Four Books, London: Printed by John Hughs, for Messrs. R[obert] and J[ames] Dodsley, […], published 1759, →OCLC, pages 42–43

   Synonyms: sell out