hetaera

• hetaira
• hetæra

From Ancient Greek ἑταῖρα (hetaîra), feminine of ἑταῖρος (hetaîros, “companion”).

• IPA^(key): /hɪˈtɪəɹə/
• IPA^(key): /hɪˈtaɪɹə/

hetaera (plural hetaerae or hetaeras)

1. (historical) a highly cultivated hired female companion in ancient Greece, who would entertain upper-class male clients and might perform sex acts for them
   • 1957, Lawrence Durrell, Justine:

     But of course our friend is only a shallow twentieth-century reproduction of the great hetairae of the past, the type to which she belongs without knowing it, Lais, Charis and the rest...

2. a mistress
   • 1971, Gottfried Benn & E. B. Ashton, Primal vision: selected writings‎

     Woman is dethroned as the primary and supreme sex, debased into inseminable hetaera.

   • 1980, Anthony Burgess, Earthly Powers

     Christ appeared, only to reveal himself as the naked god Pan. Ballet of hetaerae and houris, choreography by Italo Castaldi.

• hetaeric

• etaerio
• hetaerism
• hetaerist