damsel

American  

[dam-zuhl] / ˈdæm zəl /

noun

Literary.

1. a young woman or girl; a maiden, originally one of gentle or noble birth.

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damsel British  

/ ˈdæmzəl /

noun

1. archaic a young unmarried woman; maiden

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Etymology

Origin of damsel

1150–1200; Middle English damisel < Anglo-French ( Old French damoisele ) < Vulgar Latin *dominicella, equivalent to Latin domin ( a ) lady ( see dame) + -i- -i- + -cella feminine diminutive suffix

Explanation

A young, unmarried woman is a damsel. If you've ever seen a young girl being chased by a rabid dog, then you've witnessed a damsel in distress! The word damsel is a shortened version of the French word, mademoiselle, which is what the French call a young woman who is not married — like the word miss in English. Damsel was originally a word reserved for noblewomen — the rich and fabulous. Nowadays even regular unmarried Janes can be referred to as damsel, though you're really most likely to come across the word damsel being rescued by a prince in a fairytale.

Example Sentences

Dunst, 41, says it is refreshing her character is the lead in an action film and not a "damsel in distress".

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2024

“There are tales of chivalry, where the heroic knight saves the damsel in distress,” a young woman’s voice intones as “Damsel” begins.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2024

Brash, violent protector Buffy turns to into a delicate damsel and stays in distress for much of the episode.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2023

But also, it has a lot of humor surrounding it, because it's that damsel in distress kind of character.

From Salon • Jul. 29, 2023

“I don’t know, fair damsel I don’t know how I got here, so I don’t rightly know how I am.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White