Meaning
A class of women maintained by wealthy protectors; female courtesans or prostitutes as a group.
Etymology
Origin: French
Borrowed from French demi-monde (literally “half-world”), from demi (“half”) + monde (“world; people”); possibly coined by French author and playwright Alexandre Dumas fils as the title of a comedic play, Le Demi Monde (1855): see the quotation from 1864.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
adventuresscourtesandelilahaspasiajezebelmessalinaphrynethaisdemimondainedemirep
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles: