abigail
noun
a lady's maid.
abigail
1 American
[ab-i-geyl]
/ ˈæb ɪˌgeɪl /
noun
Abigail
2
American
[ab-i-geyl]
/ ˈæb ɪˌgeɪl /
noun
-
(in the Bible) the wife of Nabal and later of David.
-
a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “joy of the father.”
Abigail
British
/ ˈæbɪˌɡeɪl /
noun
Etymology
Origin of abigail
1645–55; after Abigail, name of attendant in play The Scornful Lady (1610), by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Coachman, footman, abigail, and doubtless all fitting etceteras, owned her as their sovereign lady and mistress.
From Paris and the Parisians in 1835 (Vol. 1 of 2) by Trollope, Frances Milton
"What does this mean?" cried the abigail, with an imperious frown which served to mask a new-born terror.
From The Maid of Honour (Vol. 3 of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Wingfield, Lewis
At last she ventured to consult her confidential abigail, Sarah.
From Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 2 of 3) by Loudon, Margracia
Starting, the abigail took up the parcel, went to a cupboard, selected a bottle from a row and mixed some of its contents with water.
From The Maid of Honour (Vol. 3 of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Wingfield, Lewis
Foster-sister and confidential abigail to the Marquise de Gange, the two were as united as if they had indeed been sisters.
From The Maid of Honour, Vol. 1 (of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Wingfield, Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
