[demi.monde] n [F demi-monde, fr. demi- + monde world, fr. L mundus] (1855) 1 a: a class of women on the fringes of respectable society supported by wealthy lovers b: prostitutes
2: demimondaine
3: a distinctive class, group, or activity that is often an isolated part of a larger class, group, or activity "the pop music ~" "the literary ~"; esp: one having little reputation or prestige