scarlet woman

scarlet woman
   a prostitute
   The woman 'arrayed in purple and scarlet colour...THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS' [Revelations, 17.4/5), whence any adulteress:
    The Colonel evidently objected to its presence in his house at the same time as his Scarlet Woman. (Sharpe, 1978)
   Our Protestant ancestors found it a useful abusive epithet for the Church of Rome.
   Whence the obsolete scarlet fever, or lust for soldiers, involving a treble pun — on the disease, on the colour of their uniform, and on the activities of the scarlet woman:
    Nursemaids are always ready to succumb to the 'scarlet fever'. A red coat is all powerful with this class, who prefer a soldier to a servant. (Mayhew, 1862)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • scarlet woman — n old fashioned a woman who has sexual relationships with many different people …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • scarlet woman — noun count OLD FASHIONED a woman who has sex with a lot of men …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • scarlet woman — This idiom is used as a pejorative term for a sexually promiscuous woman, especially an adulteress …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • scarlet woman — ► NOUN ▪ a notoriously promiscuous or immoral woman …   English terms dictionary

  • scarlet woman — 1. a sexually promiscuous woman, esp. a prostitute or a woman who commits adultery. 2. a symbol of pagan Rome or, opprobriously, of the church of Rome. Rev. 17:1 6. [1810 20] * * * scarlet woman noun 1. The woman referred to in the Bible… …   Useful english dictionary

  • scarlet woman — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms scarlet woman : singular scarlet woman plural scarlet women old fashioned showing disapproval a woman who has sex with a lot of men …   English dictionary

  • scarlet woman — Synonyms and related words: B girl, Cyprian, Paphian, call girl, daughter of joy, erring sister, fallen woman, fille de joie, harlot, hooker, hustler, meretrix, painted woman, poule, prostitute, stew, streetwalker, unfortunate woman, white slave …   Moby Thesaurus

  • scarlet woman — 1. a sexually promiscuous woman, esp. a prostitute or a woman who commits adultery. 2. a symbol of pagan Rome or, opprobriously, of the church of Rome. Rev. 17:1 6. [1810 20] * * * …   Universalium

  • scarlet woman — noun a) A woman who is known for behaving in an adulterous manner. b) A woman believed to be an adulterer …   Wiktionary

  • scarlet woman — n. offensive term for a woman who is a prostitute or adulteress; sexually promiscuous woman (Archaic) …   English contemporary dictionary

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