abigail

¹

[ ab-i-geyl ]

noun

1. a lady's maid.

Abigail

²

[ ab-i-geyl ]

noun

1. (in the Bible) the wife of Nabal and later of David.
2. a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “joy of the father.”

Abigail

/ ˈæbɪˌɡeɪl /

noun

1. Old Testament the woman who brought provisions to David and his followers and subsequently became his wife (I Samuel 25:1–42)

Word History and Origins

Origin of abigail¹

1645–55; after Abigail, name of attendant in play The Scornful Lady (1610), by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher

Example Sentences

Liverpool manager Matt Beard says the officials "let them down" after referee Abigail Byrne awarded a penalty to Everton when Fuka Nagano clipped Honoka Hayashi as replays showed the foul appeared to be outside the area.

From BBC

Reacting to the appointment on X, Democrat Virginia congresswoman member of the House Intelligence Committee Abigail Spanberger said she was "appalled at the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard".

From BBC

“Scream Queens” — which also starred Roberts, Ariana Grande, Billie Lourd, Abigail Breslin and Lea Michele — does not seem like it was a positive experience for Palmer, per her book.

From Los Angeles Times

Also in Virginia, two candidates are looking to fill Democrat Abigail Spanberger's seat after she decided not to run for re-election and instead run for governor.

From BBC

In the Seventh, between Richmond and Alexandria, Democrat Eugene Vindman is facing off against Republican Derrick Anderson in a seat Rep. Abigail Spanberger is leaving to run for governor.

From Salon