sell oneself; prostitution
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to sell oneself or one's family; indentured servitude
formalHistorically refers to selling oneself or family members into bondage (e.g., as a slave or servant) due to extreme poverty. Often involves signing a contract (卖身契).
In the old society, many poor people were forced to sell themselves into slavery.
He signed an indenture contract to work for the landlord for ten years.
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To pay for his mother's funeral, he had no choice but to sell himself.
verb
to engage in prostitution; to sell one's body
derogatoryA direct and often harsh term for prostitution, implying the selling of one's body for money. Can be used metaphorically for compromising one's integrity for gain.
Forced by circumstances, she had to sell her body to survive.
Some critics accused him of prostituting his art for money, abandoning his artistic principles.
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This term is often used metaphorically to mean selling out one's soul or principles.