low occupation; mean trade
An old-fashioned or literary term for a disreputable or low-status job. Rare in modern conversation; more common in historical or formal contexts.
In the past, there was a tendency to regard entertainment as a low occupation.
prostitute
Compound of 賎 (variant of 賤, meaning 'lowly' or 'base') and 業 (occupation, work). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows a common pattern for describing social status of professions.