English Explanatory Dictionary

Mata Hari

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any exotic female spy.

Word forms

Mata Hari Mata Haris

Etymology

From Dutch (stage name of Margaretha Geertruida (Grietje) Zelle, a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who was executed by firing squad for alleged espionage during World War I), from Malay matahari (“sun”).

Related words

mata-mata femme fatale
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