brothel
/ˈbɹɔθəl/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.26 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
Example Sentences
- "Thus, during the last four years, I have visited brothels about every ten days or two weeks. Only seldom does coitus fail; for I have learned my peculiarities, and in the choice of a prostitute know immediately whether she will excite me or have no effect."
- "Only women already existing in the social margins became actresses.²⁶ For example, celebrated tragedienne Elizabeth Barry was an orphan, Nell Gwynn a barmaid raised in a brothel, Moll Davis the illegitimate daughter of a Colonel. Other actresses were the wives and daughters of male actors, as for example Mary Saunderson (Mrs Betterton) and (in a later period) Mrses Kean, Kemble and Siddons."
Etymology
Short for brothel-house (“house of prostitution”), from brothel (“a wretch; scoundrel; lecher; harlot; prostitute”) + house, influenced by bordel. For more on brothel (“a wretch”), see below.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: brothel, *brēoþel, *breuþaną
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈbɹɔθəl/
- British English: /ˈbɹɒθəl/
Usage
Inflected Forms
Derived Forms
Phrases
brothel creeper
brothel-house
brothel-keeper
brothel keeper
brothel-keeping
brothel keeping
couldn't organise an orgy in a brothel
escort agency