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maidenhood. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
maidenhood, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
maidenhood in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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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)
- (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
- A woman's virginity or maidenhead.
- Freshness; newness.
Synonyms
Translations
condition of being maiden