| 释义 |
demi·monde
I. \|demē|mänd, -mōnd; dəmēmōⁿd\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: French demi-monde, from demi- (from demi half) + monde world, from Latin mundus — more at demi-, mundane
1.
a. : a class of women on the fringes of respectable society characterized by liaisons with and economic dependence upon wealthy lovers but not engaged in open prostitution and usually striving to present an appearance of respectability
b. : the class of prostitutes : courtesans
< the city's demimonde grew during the war >
2. : a member of the demimonde : demimondaine
< the richer demimondes … joined London society in its glittering and fashionable parade — Hollis Alpert >
3.
a. : a group (as within a profession) characterized by dealings of doubtful legality or propriety or by cheap commercialism or hack work and often by conspicuous lack of financial success
< the demimonde of letters >
< the artistic demimonde >
also : the area in which such a group resides or is concentrated
b. : any group engaged in activity of doubtful or twilight legality or propriety
< the political demimonde of international fascism — Edmond Taylor >
II. noun
: a distinctive class, group, or activity that is often an isolated part of a larger class, group, or activity
< the pop music demimonde >
< the literary demimonde >
especially : one having little reputation or prestige |