noun
madame
A woman who runs a brothel.
The madame manages the brothel and keeps track of its finances.
Etymology
The French title literally means my lady. In English, it acquired a specialized occupational use for the woman who manages a brothel.
More examples
- The madame refuses to admit a violent customer.
- Detectives interview the madame about activities at her brothel.
- The novel follows two madames who run rival brothels.
Forms
madame · madames
brothel noun — A place where people pay for sex.
Similar words
- madam
- The usual American spelling for a woman running a brothel.
- brothel keeper
- Can refer to a manager of any gender.