Meretrix

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A prostitute in Ancient Rome.

    "Nomus Marcellus has pointed out the difference between this class of prostitutes and the prostibula. "This is the difference between a meretrix (harlot) and a prostibula (common strumpet): a meretrix is of a more honorable station and calling; for meretrices are so named a merendo (from earning wages) because they plied their calling only by night; prostibulu because they stand before the stabulum (stall) for gain both by day and night.""

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin meretrīx.

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