strumpet

strumpet
strumpet (n.) early 14c., of uncertain origin. One theory connects it with L. stuprata, fem. pp. of stuprare "have illicit sexual relations with," or L.L. strupum "dishonor, violation." Others suggest M.Du. strompe "a stocking," or strompen "to stride, to stalk" (as a prostitute might a customer). The major sources don't seem to give much preference to any of these. Weekley notes "Gregory's Chronicle (c.1450) has streppett in same sense." In 18c.-early 19c., often abbreviated as strum and also used as a verb, which led to some odd dictionary entries:
TO STRUM: to have carnal knowledge of a woman, also to play badly on the harpsichord or any other stringed instrument. [Capt. Francis Grose, "A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue," 1796]

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  • Strumpet — Strum pet, a. Of or pertaining to a strumpet; characteristic of a strumpet. [1913 Webster] Out on thy more than strumpet impudence. B. Jonson. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Strumpet — Strum pet, v. t. 1. To debauch. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To dishonor with the reputation of being a strumpet; hence, to belie; to slander. [1913 Webster] With his untrue reports, strumpet your fame. Massinger. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Strumpet — Strum pet, n. [OE. strumpet, strompet; cf. OF. stupe debauchery, F. stupe, L. stuprare, stupratum, to debauch, stuprum debauchery, Gael. & Ir. striopach a prostitute.] A prostitute; a harlot. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • strumpet — [n] prostitute call girl*, harlot, hooker, hussy, lady of the evening*, slut, streetwalker, whore, woman of the street*; concept 412 …   New thesaurus

  • strumpet — ► NOUN archaic or humorous ▪ a female prostitute or a promiscuous woman. ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • strumpet — [strum′pit] n. [ME < ?] a prostitute; harlot …   English World dictionary

  • strumpet —    To Shakespeare, who uses this word vocatively in, e.g. Hamlet, The Winter’s Tale, Othello, ‘strumpet’ meant a prostitute. It is doubtful if a modern woman would understand it in that sense. She would think it a very old fashioned word, one… …   A dictionary of epithets and terms of address

  • strumpet — noun a) A female prostitute; a woman who is very sexually active. Usage note often used as bit of strumpet, piece of strumpet. b) A female adulterer. Usage note derogatory …   Wiktionary

  • strumpet — UK [ˈstrʌmpɪt] / US noun [countable] Word forms strumpet : singular strumpet plural strumpets old fashioned an insulting word for a woman who has a lot of sexual relationships or has sex with people who pay her money …   English dictionary

  • Strumpet City — (1969) is a historical novel by James Plunkett set in Dublin, Ireland, at the time of the Dublin Lockout. In 1980, it was made into a successful TV drama by Radio Telefís Éireann, Ireland s national broadcaster.The NovelThe novel is an epic,… …   Wikipedia

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