■ noun 'ɛskɔ:t
1》 a person, vehicle, or group accompanying another to provide protection or as a mark of rank.
2》 a person who is hired or formally requested to accompany a member of the opposite sex to a social event.
3》 euphemistic a prostitute.
■ verb ɪ'skɔ:t , ɛ- accompany as an ~.
Origin
C16: from Fr. ~e (n.), ~er (v.), from Ital. scorta , feminine past participle of scorgere 'to conduct, guide', based on L. ex- 'out of' + corrigere (see correct ).