maiden

[ meyd-n ]

noun

1. a girl or young unmarried woman; maid.
2. Archaic. a female virgin.
3. Maiden, (in Neopaganism) the first form of the Goddess, represented as a young woman and said to symbolize youth and the first stages of life or growth. Compare crone ( def 3 ), mother ¹( def 10 ).
4. a horse that has never won a race.
5. a race open only to maiden horses.
6. an instrument resembling the guillotine, formerly used in Scotland for beheading criminals.
7. Cricket. maiden over.

adjective

1. Archaic. of, relating to, or befitting a girl or unmarried woman:

   her maiden virtues.

2. Archaic. (of a woman, especially one past middle age) unmarried:

   my maiden aunt.

3. (of a girl or woman) never having had sexual intercourse; virgin.
4. made, tried, appearing, etc., for the first time:

   a maiden flight.

5. (of a horse) never having won a race or a prize.
6. (of a prize or a race) offered for or open only to maiden horses.
7. untried, as a knight, soldier, or weapon.

maiden

/ ˈmeɪdən /

noun

1. archaic.
   1. a young unmarried girl, esp when a virgin
   2. ( as modifier )

      a maiden blush

2. horse racing
   1. a horse that has never won a race
   2. ( as modifier )

      a maiden race

3. cricket See maiden over
4. dialect.
   Also calledclothes maiden a frame on which clothes are hung to dry; clothes horse
5. modifier of or relating to an older unmarried woman

   a maiden aunt

6. modifier of or involving an initial experience or attempt

   a maiden voyage

   maiden speech

7. modifier (of a person or thing) untried; unused
8. modifier (of a place) never trodden, penetrated, or captured

Derived Forms

• ˈmaidenish, adjective
• ˈmaiden-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• maid·en·ish adjective
• maid·en·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maiden¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English mægden, equivalent to mægd, mæg(e)th (cognate with German Magd, Gothic magaths ) + -en -en ⁵

Word History and Origins

Origin of maiden¹

Old English mægden; related to Old High German magad, Old Norse mogr young man, Old Irish mug slave

Example Sentences

The ship had cost £5.5m - and after a few months of fitting out, it made its maiden voyage off Scotland's west coast in December.

From BBC

The closest vessel was the Disney Treasure, which was travelling from Europe to the US to prepare for its maiden voyage and was 80 miles away when it responded.

From BBC

In his election victory speech, Trump called her "the ice maiden" - a reference to her composure - and said she "likes to stay in the background".

From BBC

In his victory speech this week, Trump referred to Wiles as "the ice maiden" as she stood behind him on stage.

From BBC

Mousley built on that momentum and carved out his maiden half-century in 64 deliveries, accumulating the bulk of those runs on the leg side before falling to Joseph as England stepped on the gas.

From BBC

Related Words

• inaugural
• introductory