maidenhood

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English

Etymology

From Middle English maydenhode, meidenhod, maȝdenhad, from Old English mæġdenhād (maidenhood), equivalent to maiden +‎ -hood.

Pronunciation

Noun

maidenhood (countable and uncountable, plural maidenhoods)

  1. (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
      Then she said, My Lord, Sir Lancelot, I beseech you see me as soon as you may / For I have obeyed unto the prophecy that my father told me / And by his commandment to fulfill this prophecy I have given the greatest riches and the fairest flower that ever I had / And that is my maidenhood that I shall never have again / And therefor gentle knight, owe me your goodwill
  2. A woman's virginity or maidenhead.
  3. Freshness; newness.

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Translations