How Do You Spell DEMIMONDAINES?

Pronunciation: [dˈɛmɪmˌɒnde͡ɪnz] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "demimondaines" may seem daunting at first glance, but it can be easily broken down with the help of IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced [ˌdɛmimɔndɛn], with emphasis on the second syllable. The first part of the word, "demi," means "half," while "mondaines" refers to women of questionable morals who lived in society but were not considered respectable. Together, "demimondaines" describes a group of women on the fringes of society, often associated with the arts, fashion, and scandal.

DEMIMONDAINES Meaning and Definition

1. Demimondaines is a term derived from the French language, with "demi" meaning half, and "mondaines" referring to worldly or sophisticated women. The term demimondaines, in its historical context, refers to a group of women who inhabited or belonged to a demimonde - a sphere of society that lies on the outskirts of conventional morality and respectability.

   These women, often seen as part of the upper echelons of society during the late 19th and early 20th century, were characterized by their extravagant lifestyles, involvement in non-traditional relationships, and active participation in social events. Demimondaines were known for their beauty, charm, and sophistication, which they used to captivate and allure wealthy and powerful men.

   Despite their connection to the elite, demimondaines were often subjected to societal prejudice due to their unconventional lifestyles. They operated in a gray area, being neither fully accepted by mainstream society nor entirely marginalized. Demimondaines sometimes became mistresses to influential men, relying on these relationships to maintain their luxurious lifestyles and social standing.

   The term "demimondaines" can also be used more broadly to describe women involved in the entertainment industry, including actresses, singers, and dancers, who were known for their glamour and seductive presence. However, the term specifically denotes those women who occupied a unique position in society, residing between the realms of respectability and infamy, ultimately challenging social norms and conventions of their time.

Common Misspellings for DEMIMONDAINES

• demimondains
• demimondeaines
• demimondanies
• Demimondeanes
• Demimondans

Etymology of DEMIMONDAINES

The word "demimondaines" is derived from the French term "demi-mondaines".

The term has two components: "demi" meaning "half" or "semi", and "mondaines" meaning "worldly" or "world".

In the context of the word "demimondaines", it refers to a group of women who belonged to a social class existing outside of conventional society, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These women were often mistresses or courtesans who catered to wealthy and powerful men. The term "demi-mondaines" was commonly used in French literature and society at that time to describe these women.

The word's etymology reflects the idea that these women were considered to be living in a "half-world", on the fringes of respectable society.

Similar spelling word for DEMIMONDAINES

• demimondaine.