/ ˌkɔːtɪˈzæn; NAmE ˈkɔːrtɪzn/ noun
(in the past) a prostitute , especially one with rich customers
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from French courtisane , from obsolete Italian cortigiana , feminine of cortigiano courtier, from corte , from Latin cohors , cohort- yard or retinue.