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

Studying CMEs – massive fireballs that blow out of the Sun’s outermost corona layer – is one of the most important scientific objectives of India’s maiden solar mission.

From BBC

We hope it goes on to be an annual event and are honored to be included on the maiden voyage.”

From Los Angeles Times

Rodri will always be a fan favourite at City after scoring the goal that secured their first Champions League trophy and becoming their maiden Ballon d'Or winner.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• inaugural
• introductory