abigail

¹

[ ab-i-geyl ]

noun

1. a lady's maid.

Abigail

²

[ ab-i-geyl ]

noun

1. (in the Bible) the wife of Nabal and later of David.
2. a female given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “joy of the father.”

Abigail

/ ˈæbɪˌɡeɪl /

noun

1. Old Testament the woman who brought provisions to David and his followers and subsequently became his wife (I Samuel 25:1–42)

Word History and Origins

Origin of abigail¹

1645–55; after Abigail, name of attendant in play The Scornful Lady (1610), by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher

Example Sentences

What we can reasonably require an Abigail Fisher to understand is that the rules are bent based on socioeconomics.

From The Daily Beast

In our moment, then, an Abigail Fisher must be viewed differently than she once would have been.

From The Daily Beast

At the center of the case is Abigail Fisher, a white woman who was denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin in 2008.

From The Daily Beast

Abigail Haglage rounds up what we know so far about the honorable Charles Ramsey.

From The Daily Beast

So too does Abigail Pogrebin, an author and former 60 Minutes producer.

From The Daily Beast

"Mr. Capt don't demean himself to chambermaids, Miss Lucy," retorted the abigail with angry scorn.

From Project Gutenberg

And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.

From Project Gutenberg

Abigail properly resolved to defer any conversation with Nabal till the morning, when she disclosed the whole affair.

From Project Gutenberg

How could Abigail be more happy in a husband, than in the prophet, the champion, the anointed of God?

From Project Gutenberg

There was a lofty heroism in Abigail, when she prevented David from shedding innocent blood.

From Project Gutenberg