prostitute

adjective

1. 1

   obsoleteDebased, corrupt; seeking personal gain by dishonourable means.

   [H]e speaks a languages that merits not reply, and which can only excite contempt for his prostitute principles, or pity for his ignorance.

2. 2

   Taking part in promiscuous sexual activity, licentious; (later, chiefly as attributive use of noun) that is a prostitute.

   They rightly say that attacks against prostitute women are common and that it's only when five are murdered in one place that it starts to provoke debate.

3. 3

   obsoleteExposed, subjected (to something shameful).

   [A]nd novv at length all men of all Nations, not only Philoſophers, but even the vulgar, have, and doe ſtill deale vvith this [the subject of the book] as a matter of eaſe, expoſed and proſtitute to every Mother-vvit, and to be attained vvithout any great care or ſtudy, […]

noun

1. 1

   Any person (especially a woman) who has sexual intercourse or engages in other sexual activity for payment, especially as a means of livelihood.

2. 2

   A woman who has sexual intercourse or engages in other sexual activity for payment, especially as a means of livelihood.

   Unfortunately, there is to my knowledge no visual evidence for the dress of the Roman prostitute, but the literary sources present us with a range of prostitute clothing (from rich accoutrements all the way down to nothing), […]

3. 3

   A person who does, or offers to do, a demeaning or dishonourable activity for money or personal gain; someone who acts in a dishonourable way for personal advantage.

   Kai Wen: Why not? You're nothing but a prostitute. / Vicky: How dare you call me a prostitute!

   Madonna would do anything for money, you know, she's a total prostitute. And I've got nothing against prostitutes.

verb

1. 1

   To offer (oneself or someone else) for sexual activity in exchange for money.

   Do not prostitute thy daughter.

2. 2

   To sacrifice (oneself, one's talents etc.) in return for profit or other advantage; to exploit for base purposes.

   [T]heſe, their rights / In the vile ſtreets they proſtitute to ſale; / Their ancient rights, their dignities, their laws, / Their native glorious freedom.

Forms

plural

prostitutes

comparative

more prostitute

superlative

most prostitute

past tense

prostituted

past participle

prostituted

present participle

prostituting

third person singular

prostitutes