Courtisan (en. Courtier)

/kuʁ.ti.zɑ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A man or a woman who dedicates themselves to the art of pleasing in court circles.

The courtier must be elegant and charming.

Le courtisan se doit d'être élégant et charmant.

A person who seeks the favor of a powerful individual by offering their services or beauty.

Courtiers compete in skill to win the affection of the king.

Les courtisans rivalisent d'habileté pour gagner l'affection du roi.

An individual who lives in or gravitates around the court of a prince or king.

She spent her youth as a courtier in the salons of the nobility.

Elle a passé sa jeunesse à être courtisane dans les salons de la noblesse.

The word 'courtisan' derives from the Latin 'curtisanus', which means 'of the court'.

to act like a courtier

To act in a way that pleases the powerful or dignitaries.

faire le courtisan

to be just a courtier

To be seen as opportunistic or self-interested.

n'être qu'un courtisan

court

The place where nobles gather and where power is held.

cour

nobility

The social class that holds hereditary privileges.

noblesse

flattery

The act of excessively complimenting to please.

flatterie

Flatterer

This man is a true flatterer, he only courts his superiors.

Cet homme est un vrai flattteur, il ne fait que courtiser ses supérieurs.

Opportunist

He is perceived as an opportunist, always courting the powerful.

Il est perçu comme un opportuniste, toujours en train de courtiser les puissants.