Prostitute, n.
Etymology: [L. prostituta.]
1. A woman giver to indiscriminate lewdness; a strumpet; a harlot.
2. A base hireling; a mercenary; one who offers himself to infamous employments for hire. No hireling she, no prostitute to praise. Pope.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Prostitute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prostituted; p. pr. & vb. n. Prostituting.]
1. To offer, as a woman, to a lewd use; to give up to lewdness for hire. "Do not prostitute thy daughter." Lev. xix. 29.
2. To devote to base or unworthy purposes; to give up to low or indiscriminate use; as, to prostitute talents; to prostitute official powers. Milton.
Prostitute, a.
Openly given up to lewdness; devoted to base or infamous purposes. Made bold by want, and prostitute for bread. Prior
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for prostitute; he lists it under abuse.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.