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Harlotry: meaning, definitions and examples

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harlotry

 

[ ˈhɑr.lə.tri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

sex work

Harlotry refers to the profession or practice of engaging in sexual activities for money, often encompassing a range of sexual services. Historically, it has been associated with stigma and social taboos, as well as legal issues surrounding prostitution. The term can also denote promiscuity or infidelity in sexual relationships. Though the term is somewhat archaic today, it is sometimes used in literary or formal contexts to describe the act or state of being a harlot.

Synonyms

licentiousness, prostitution, sex work, whoredom

Examples of usage

  • She was often criticized for her alleged harlotry.
  • The novel explored themes of harlotry in the Victorian era.
  • Harlotry was a common subject in art throughout history.

Translations

Translations of the word "harlotry" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prostituição

🇮🇳 वेश्या

🇩🇪 Prostitution

🇮🇩 pelacuran

🇺🇦 проституція

🇵🇱 prostytucja

🇯🇵 売春

🇫🇷 prostitution

🇪🇸 prostitución

🇹🇷 fuhuş

🇰🇷 매춘

🇸🇦 البغاء

🇨🇿 prostituce

🇸🇰 prostitúcia

🇨🇳 卖淫

🇸🇮 prostitucija

🇮🇸 fíknir

🇰🇿 жезөкшелік

🇬🇪 პროსტიტუცია

🇦🇿 fahişəlik

🇲🇽 prostitución

Word origin

The term 'harlotry' has its roots in the Middle English word 'harlotrie', which derived from 'harlot', meaning a male or female prostitute, or a person of ill repute. The Old French word 'harlot', appearing in the 13th century, referred to a rogue or a knave, originally deriving from the earlier word 'erlet', meaning 'a man of low class and occupation'. Over time, the term evolved to acquire a more specific association with sexual immorality. By the 15th century, 'harlotry' was being used to describe both the act of engaging in such practices as well as the broader implications of being viewed as morally corrupt or promiscuous. The evolution of this term reflects changing societal attitudes toward sexuality, morality, and the roles of women in society, particularly regarding the sexual economy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,523, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.