whoreson

English

Etymology

From Middle English horesone, hureson (also horessone, hores sone), equivalent to whore +‎ son. Compare Dutch hoerenzoon, German Hurensohn (“whoreson”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhɔːsən/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈhɔɹ.sən/
• Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)sən

Noun

whoreson (plural whoresons)

1. (obsolete) Often used as a term of abuse: an illegitimate or misbegotten child born of unwed parents.
   • 1605, William Shakespeare, King Lear I.i

     Though this knave came something saucily to the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged.

2. (literally) The son of a prostitute. (Can we add an example for this sense?)

Synonyms

• bastard; see also Thesaurus:bastard

Translations

illegitimate child

• Russian: су́кин сын (ru) m (súkin syn)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Swedish: horunge (sv)

Adjective

whoreson (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) mean; base; worthless