demi-monde
(dəmimɔ̃d, ˈdɛmɪmɒnd)
[Fr.; lit. ‘half-world’, ‘half-and-half society’, a phrase invented by Dumas the younger. Cf. demi-rep.]
a. The class of women of doubtful reputation and social standing, upon the outskirts of ‘society.’ (Sometimes, though improperly, extended to include courtesans in general.)
| 1855 Fraser's Mag. LI. 579 His [Dumas'] Demi-Monde is the link between good and bad society..the world of compromised women, a social limbo, the inmates of which..are perpetually struggling to emerge into the paradise of honest and respectable ladies. 1859 G. A. Sala Twice round Clock 30 Countesses, actresses—demi-monde adventuresses. 1884 Mrs. C. Praed Zero xiv, The demi-Monde overflowed the Hôtel de Paris. 1893 N.Y. Nation 27 Apr. 320/1 His province is the demi-monde, the Bohème of the modern Mürger, the Paris of Zola and the Naturalists. |
b. attrib. or as adj.
| 1864 Sala Quite Alone I. i. 10 ‘Is she demi-monde?’..‘Nobody knows’. |