[ ˌmɛrɪ'trɪʃəs ]
■ adjective
1》 showily attractive but lacking real value.
2》 archaic characteristic of a prostitute.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
C17: from L. meretricius (adjective from meretrix , meretric- 'prostitute', from mereri 'be hired') + -ous .