maidenhood
English
Etymology
From Middle English maydenhode, meidenhod, maȝdenhad, from Old English mæġdenhād (“maidenhood”), equivalent to maiden + -hood.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmeɪd(ə)nhʊd/
Noun
maidenhood (countable and uncountable, plural maidenhoods)
- (uncountable) The condition of being a maiden; the time when one is a maiden or young girl.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “iij”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XI:
- Thenne she said my lord sir launcelot I biseche yow see me as soone as ye may / for I haue obeyed me vnto the prophecy that my fader teld me / And by his commaūdement to fulfille this prophecy I haue gyuen the grettest rychesse and the fayrest floure that euer I had / and that is my maydenhode that I shalle neuer haue ageyne / and therfore gentyl knyȝt owe me youre good wille
- (please add an English translation of this quote)
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- A woman's virginity or maidenhead.
- Freshness; newness.
Synonyms
- maidhood
Related terms
- maidenhead
Translations
condition of being maiden
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maidenhead
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