a. and sb. Also 7 Ciprian. [f. L. Cyprius of Cyprus + -AN. In F. cyprien.]
A. adj. 1. Belonging to Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean, famous in ancient times for the worship of Aphrodite or Venus.
1627. Massinger, Gt. Dk. Florence, V. ii. By all the vows which lovers offer at The Cyprian goddess’ altars.
c. 1673. Roxb. Ball., VI. 112. A stranger unto Love am I … The Ciprian Boy shall not destroy My freedome and my Reason.
2. transf. Licentious, lewd; in 18–19th c. applied to prostitutes.
1599. Marston, Sco. Villanie, I. iii. 184. Consuming all the yeare In Cyprian dalliance.
1782. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Ode to R. A.’s, ix. Wks. I. 35. A Damsel of the Cyprian class.
1859. Sat. Rev., VIII. 71/1. The Cyprian patrol which occupies our streets in force every night.
B. sb. An inhabitant or native of Cyprus, a Cypriote; hence transf. A licentious or profligate person; in later use spec. a prostitute.
1598. Marston, Pygmal., ii. 145. See how he paceth like a Ciprian.
1819. J. H. Vaux, Mem., I. 72. A very interesting young Cyprian whom I … attended to her apartments.
1829. Sun, 17 Sept., 4/4. A cyprian of the lowest grade.
1843. trans. Custine’s Empire of Czar, III. 84. The expenses of these poor cyprians were not diminished in the same proportion as their gains.
