quean etymology

Etymology

The word "quean" has an uncertain etymology, but there are several possible origins:

• Old English:
  • "cwen" (woman, queen)
  • "cwene" (female servant)
• Middle Dutch:
  • "kween" (prostitute)
• Middle French:
  • "coinne" (pretty)

Meaning and Origin

In English, "quean" has historically been used to refer to:

• Originally: A young woman of lower social status, often used as a term of endearment
• 16th-17th centuries: A prostitute, especially a common one
• 17th-19th centuries: A contemptuous term for a woman, often implying immorality or promiscuity
• Modern English: Rarely used, and typically considered offensive or derogatory

Due to its derogatory nature, "quean" has largely fallen out of use in modern English. However, it is still occasionally encountered in historical texts and literature, particularly from the Elizabethan and Victorian eras.

quean relate terms

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