maidenlike
English
Etymology
From maiden + -like.
Adjective
maidenlike (comparative more maidenlike, superlative most maidenlike)
- Like a maiden; gentle, demure.
- 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 15, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821:
- Whereto serves this mayden-like bashfulnesse […] but to increase a desire and endeare a longing in us to vanquish, to gourmandize, and at our pleasure to dispose all this squeamish ceremonie, and all these peevish obstacles?
- 1820, Walter Scott, The Abbot:
- But on half a minute's reflection, the damsel changed totally her attitude and manner, folded her cloak around her arms in modest and maidenlike fashion, and walked of her own accord to the presence of the great man […].
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Synonyms
- maidenly
Antonyms
- unmaidenlike
Translations
like a maiden
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