1855, also demimonde, from French demi-monde "so-so society," literally "half-world," from demi- "half" + monde, from Latin mundus "world" (see mundane).
Popularized by use as title of a comedy by Alexandre Dumas fils (1824-1895). Dumas' Demi-Monde "is the link between good and bad society ... the world of compromised women, a social limbo, the inmates of which ... are perpetually struggling to emerge into the paradise of honest and respectable ladies" ["Fraser's Magazine," 1855]. Not properly used of courtesans. Compare 18th-century English demi-rep (1749, the second element short for reputation), defined as "a woman that intrigues with every man she likes, under the name and appearance of virtue ... in short, whom every body knows to be what no body calls her" [Fielding].
雙語例句
1. She's a demi - veg. She doesn't take red meat.
她是個半素食者,她不吃紅肉.
來自辭典例句
2. The demi - wolf is very alert - nothing can escape its eyes.
狼狗 的警惕性很高,任何風(fēng)吹草動都躲不過它的眼睛.
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
3. As Hollywood's best cougar , Demi Moore has become the envy of millions.
作為好萊塢最著名的“吃嫩草”熟女,黛米·摩爾成為萬千女性羨慕的對象.
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
4. Demi was very interested in engineering and tried to build many things.
迪米對工程很有興趣,會試著建造許多東西.
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
5. However, on one occasion Demi noticed how the professor looked at Jo.