courtesan

[ kawr-tuh-zuh n, kohr-, kur- ]

/ ˈkɔr tə zən, ˈkoʊr-, ˈkɜr- /

a prostitute or paramour, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth.

Origin of courtesan

1540–50; < Middle French courtisane < Italian cortigiana, literally, woman of the court, derivative of corte court

She killed herself in 1925 and she also may have been a courtesan, I discovered a few years ago.

Amy Tan: How I Write |Noah Charney |December 11, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The look was inspired by Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and the World War I spy Mata Hari.

Deconstructing Lady Gaga's 5 Bras in "Applause" |Erin Cunningham |August 19, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The Girl Who Loved Camellias by Julie Kavanagh The courtesan who seduced Paris—and inspired Dumas and La Traviata.

This Week’s Hot Reads: June 10, 2013 |Mythili Rao |June 10, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
“I think what she is doing is an abuse of the word ‘courtesan,’” the escort says.

Vegas' Mystery Sex Blog |Richard Abowitz |March 24, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

Three customers have called her for appointments and, when she arrived, asked her if she was the Courtesan.

Vegas' Mystery Sex Blog |Richard Abowitz |March 24, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
If ever there were one, she would relapse into the courtesan in Paradise.

Scenes from a Courtesan's Life |Honore de Balzac
She was no longer the courtesan; she was an angel rising after a fall.

Scenes from a Courtesan's Life |Honore de Balzac
I have struggled hard against it, but it seems that I am doomed to end in being a courtesan.

The Princess of Bagdad |Alexandre Dumas
Madame Roguin thus became sovereign mistress of the situation, and treated her husband as a courtesan treats an elderly lover.

Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau |Honore de Balzac
The temple was too well guarded for a courtesan to be able to enter it.

Ancient Manners |Pierre Louys

courtesan

/ (ˌkɔːtɪˈzæn) /

(esp formerly) a prostitute, or the mistress of a man of rank

C16: from Old French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana female courtier, from cortigiano courtier, from corte court