Prostitute

A female given to indiscriminate lewdness for gain.^ But incontinence with one or two may suffice.' A woman who is unchaste, who has surrendered herself to illicit sexual intercourse with men.4 Common prostitute. A public prostitute, who makes a business of selling the use of her person to the male sex for thepurpose of illicit intercourse.'' A woman may be a prostitute and have illicit connection with one man only; but, to be a " common " prostitute, her lewdness must be more general and indiscriminate.* Prostitution.

1.

In i(;s most general sense, the act of setting one's self up for sale, or of devoting to infamous purposes what is in one's power: as, the prostitution of talents or abilities, the prostitution of the press, etc. 2. In a more restricted sense, the act or practice of a female offering her body to an indiscriminate intercourse with men; the common lewdness of a female.^ Not defined at common law; offenses of the nature not being punishable b.v common-law tribunals. The definitions of Walker, Webster, and Johnston refer to the act of permitting illicit intercourse for hire, an indiscriminate intercourse, or what is deemed '' public " prostitution: common, indiscriminate, sexual intercourse, in distinction from sexual intercourse confined exclusively to one individual. The word has been used in a more loose and general sense."* While the testimony of prostitutes is to be closely scrutinized, credit is not to be withheld if the testimony appears to be worthy of confidence.' See Abduction; Bawd.