quean

noun

ˈkwēn How to pronounce quean (audio) ˈkwān How to pronounce quean (audio)
plural queans
Synonyms of queannext
1
disparaging : a disreputable woman
specifically : a woman who engages in sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay : a woman who is a sex worker
2
chiefly Scotland : woman
especially : one that is young or unmarried

Synonyms

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Examples of quean in a Sentence

in pirate tales there's always the raucous tavern and its cadre of buxom queans

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quene, from Old English cwene; akin to Old English cwēn woman, queen

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of quean was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near quean

queak

quean

quean-cat

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Quean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quean. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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