lupanar

noun

lu·​pa·​nar lü-ˈpā-nər How to pronounce lupanar (audio) -ˈpä- How to pronounce lupanar (audio)
plural lupanars or lupanaria ˌlü-pə-ˈner-ē-ə How to pronounce lupanar (audio)
dated
: brothel
Writing in 1830, three years after the first Pompeiian lupanar had been unearthed, Charles Bonucci laconically summed up its aura: "The neighboring chamber was devoted to licentious scenes; its paintings indicate this only too clearly."Walter Kendrick

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from lupa sex worker, literally, she-wolf, feminine of lupus

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lupanar was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near lupanar

Cite this Entry

“Lupanar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lupanar. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!