prostitution; shameful trade
A formal or euphemistic term for prostitution, often used in legal or historical contexts. The kanji 醜 (shameful) and 業 (work/trade) convey a negative moral judgment.
She fell into prostitution out of poverty.
prostitute
Compound of 醜 (shū, 'shameful, ugly') and 業 (gyō, 'work, trade'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it likely arose as a euphemism in formal or legal writing.