Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Courtesan \Cour"te*san\ (k?r"t?-z?n; 277), n. [F. courtisane,
   fr. courtisan courtier, It. cortigiano; or directly fr. It.
   cortigiana, or Sp. cortesana. See {Court}.]
   A woman who prostitutes herself for hire; a prostitute; a
   harlot.

         Lasciviously decked like a courtesan.    --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.

Source : WordNet®

courtesan
     n : a woman who cohabits with an important man [syn: {concubine},
          {doxy}, {odalisque}, {paramour}]