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].
实用例句
1. She's a demi - veg. She doesn't take red meat.
她是个半素食者,她不吃红肉.
来自辞典例句
2. The demi - wolf is very alert - nothing can escape its eyes.
狼狗 的警惕性很高,任何风吹草动都躲不过它的眼睛.
来自互联网
3. As Hollywood's best cougar , Demi Moore has become the envy of millions.
作为好莱坞最著名的“吃嫩草”**,黛米·摩尔成为万千女性羡慕的对象.
来自互联网
4. Demi was very interested in engineering and tried to build many things.
迪米对工程很有兴趣,会试著建造许多东西.
来自互联网
5. However, on one occasion Demi noticed how the professor looked at Jo.
