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MERETRIX

Volume 13 · 77 words · 1815 Edition

among the Romans, differed from Meretrix the profibula. The profibulae were common courtesans, with bills over their doors, signifying their profession, and were ready at all times to entertain customers; whereas the meretrices entertained none but at night.—The meretrices differed in their dress from the matrons; the former wore the toga and short tunics, like those of the men: the latter wore the pallia and the fola of such a length as to reach to their feet.