The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word COURTESAN
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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More clues leading to the result COURTESAN
- Good behaviour curtailed by an odalisque
- Star once snapped hugging posh mistress
- See hospital admits European man’s mistress
- No curates condemned mistress
- Mistress caught, nature so wanton
- Prostitute can’t rouse drunk
- She’s using precautions; no need for private investigator
- Mistress recounts a disaster
- No curates should get mixed up with her
- A woman who’s unusually sure — no act!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Prostitute" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case prostitute = courtesan.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does COURTESAN mean?
COURTESAN noun- A woman of a royal or noble court.
- The mistress of a royal or noble.
- A female prostitute, especially one with high-status or wealthy clients.