courtisanes

courtesans

noun koor-tee-ZAN Rare

Usage Note

Courtisanes is a French plural gallicism found in Italian historical and literary texts, denoting high-class female companions or prostitutes of elevated social standing. The Italian equivalent is cortigiane. Its use in Italian writing often signals a Francophile register or a direct quotation from French sources.

Examples

"Le courtisanes animavano i salotti parigini."

Natural Translation

The courtesans enlivened the Parisian salons.

Literal Translation

The courtesans enlivened the salons Parisian.

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