procuress: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical, Literary, Formal-Legal (archaic)
Quick answer
What does “procuress” mean?
A woman who arranges or provides sexual partners for others, especially a female procurer or a madam of a brothel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who arranges or provides sexual partners for others, especially a female procurer or a madam of a brothel.
Historically, a woman who procures clients, opportunities, or advantages for others, though now almost exclusively associated with the procurement of sex.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; the term is equally archaic and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally pejorative and historical in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary language in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “procuress” in a Sentence
[NP subject] acted as a procuress for [NP client].They accused [NP] of being a procuress.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “procuress” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No verb form exists for this specific noun)
American English
- (No verb form exists for this specific noun)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form)
American English
- (No adverb form)
adjective
British English
- (No direct adjective. 'Procuring' is the related adjective.)
American English
- (No direct adjective. 'Procuring' is the related adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, gender studies, or legal history contexts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary conversation.
Technical
Possible use in historical legal or sociological texts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “procuress”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “procuress”
- Mispronouncing as 'pro-CURE-ess' instead of 'pro-CYOOR-ess'.
- Using it in contemporary contexts where 'madam' is more common.
- Using it as a gender-neutral term; 'procurer' is male/non-specific.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. In contemporary contexts, 'madam' or 'brothel-keeper' are more likely to be used, though the activity itself is illegal in most places.
The male equivalent is 'procurer' or 'pander'/'panderer'. 'Procuress' is specifically the female form.
Historically, it could have a broader meaning of a female agent or arranger, but this sense is obsolete. In modern understanding, the term is exclusively associated with the procurement of sexual partners.
It is a formal, literary, and now archaic word. It was often used in legal, literary, or historical contexts and carries a formal tone, despite its subject matter.
A woman who arranges or provides sexual partners for others, especially a female procurer or a madam of a brothel.
Procuress: in British English it is pronounced /prəˈkjʊə.res/, and in American English it is pronounced /proʊˈkjʊr.es/ or /prəˈkjʊr.es/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No common idioms specific to this term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PROfessional CURESS' who 'cures' loneliness by arranging meetings, but specifically a female one. The 'ess' ending signals it's female.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN IS A MERCHANT/BROKER (of intimacy).
Practice
Quiz
The term 'procuress' is most closely related in meaning to which of the following?