Maid (?), n. [Shortened from maiden. . See Maiden.]

1.

An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a girl; a virgin; a maiden.

Would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never borne thee son. Shak.

Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me. Jer. ii. 32.

2.

A man who has not had sexual intercourse.

[Obs.]

Christ was a maid and shapen as a man. Chaucer.

3.

A female servant.

Spinning amongst her maids. Shak.

Maid is used either adjectively or in composition, signifying female, as in maid child, maidservant.

4. Zool.

The female of a ray or skate, esp. of the gray skate (Raia batis), and of the thornback (R. clavata).

[Prov. Eng.]

Fair maid. Zool. See under Fair, a. -- Maid of honor, a female attendant of a queen or royal princess; -- usually of noble family, and having to perform only nominal or honorary duties. -- Old maid. See under Old. <-- maid of honor. principal female attendant (if unmarried) of a bride at wedding. (If married, matron of honor.) -->

 

© Webster 1913.

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