prostitution
(prɒstɪˈtjuːʃən)
[ad. late L. prōstitūtiōn-em, n. of action f. prōstitu-ĕre to prostitute. Cf. F. prostitution (13th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
The action of prostituting or condition of being prostituted.
1. a. Of women: The offering of the body to indiscriminate lewdness for hire (esp. as a practice or institution); whoredom, harlotry.
| 1553 Eden Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.) 17 By whiche common prostitucion of the quene [in Calicut], he may well iudge that the chyldren borne of her are not to be estemed as his owne. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 339 The most noble of that Nation there (dedicating shall I say? or) prostituting their daughters; where after long prostitution with their Goddesse, they are giuen in marriage, none refusing such matches. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 155 ¶4 As if they stood there to sell their Persons to Prostitution. 1878 C. L. Wake Evol. Morality II. 89 Prostitution seems never to have been recognised at Rome as a legal institution. |
b. personified.
| 1784 Cowper Task iii. 60 Till prostitution elbows us aside In all our crowded streets. |
† c. transf. A prostitute, a harlot. Obs. rare—1.
| 1607 Middleton Michaelm. Term iii. i, I may grace her with the name of a Curtizan, a Backslider, a Prostitution, or such a Toy, but when all comes to al tis but a plaine Pung. |
d. Of men: the undertaking of homosexual acts for payment.
| 1886 R. F. Burton Terminal Ess. in Arabian Nights' Entertainments X. 242 According to Gomara there were at Tamalipas houses of male prostitution. 1975 P. McCutchan Very Big Bang xiii. 122 Porn, poncing, male prostitution—you name it, the court'll send you down for it. 1975 Times 21 June 2/3 Runaway boys..were procured for a male prostitution ring by offers of food and shelter. |
2. fig. Devotion to an unworthy or base use; degradation, debasement, corruption.
| 1647 Ward Simp. Cobler 47 Peoples prostrations of..[Civill Liberties and Proprieties] when they may lawfully helpe it, are prophane prostitutions. 1704 Clarendon's Hist. Reb. III. Ded. 14 A prostitution of all Manners in contempt of all Government. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 103 ¶1 Many Professions of Kindness and Service..are a Prostitution of Speech, seldom intended to mean Any Part of what they express. 1740 Johnson Sir F. Drake Wks. IV. 457 The honour of knighthood..; an honour in that illustrious reign not made cheap by prostitution. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. vi. 229 They live..on the prostitution of their talents to gratify..personal animosities. |
¶ 3. app. misused for prostration, overthrow.
| 1593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 39 Heauen..shall be made an Artillery-house of Haile-stones, and no Plannet shall reuolue any thing but prostitution and vastity. |