noun

prostitute

prostitute, sex worker

The novel is about the life of a prostitute.

The novel is about the life of a prostitute.

((a prostitute)) a person who has sex for money The book is about a prostitute in Paris.

Synonyms: sex worker (a more modern, neutral term)

From Latin 'prostituere', meaning 'to expose publicly', from 'pro-' (before) + 'statuere' (to set up, place).

The root 'statuere' is related to 'statue' or 'station'. Think of someone 'stationed' 'in front' (pro-) for public hire.

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