maiden

[meyd-n]

noun

1. a girl or young unmarried woman; maid.

2. Archaic.,  a female virgin.

3. Maiden, (in Neopaganism) the first form of the Goddess, represented as a young woman and said to symbolize youth and the first stages of life or growth.

4. a horse that has never won a race.

5. a race open only to maiden horses.

6. an instrument resembling the guillotine, formerly used in Scotland for beheading criminals.

7. Cricket.,  maiden over.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  of, relating to, or befitting a girl or unmarried woman.

   her maiden virtues.

2. Archaic.,  (of a woman, especially one past middle age) unmarried.

   my maiden aunt.

3. (of a girl or woman) never having had sexual intercourse; virgin.

4. made, tried, appearing, etc., for the first time.

   a maiden flight.

5. (of a horse) never having won a race or a prize.

6. (of a prize or a race) offered for or open only to maiden horses.

7. untried, as a knight, soldier, or weapon.

maiden

/ ˈmeɪdən /

noun

1. archaic

   1. a young unmarried girl, esp when a virgin

   2. ( as modifier )

      a maiden blush

2. horse racing

   1. a horse that has never won a race

   2. ( as modifier )

      a maiden race

3. cricket See maiden over

4. Also called: clothes maiden. dialect,  a frame on which clothes are hung to dry; clothes horse

5. (modifier) of or relating to an older unmarried woman

   a maiden aunt

6. (modifier) of or involving an initial experience or attempt

   a maiden voyage

   maiden speech

7. (modifier) (of a person or thing) untried; unused

8. (modifier) (of a place) never trodden, penetrated, or captured

Other Word Forms

• maidenish adjective
• maidenship noun
• maiden-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of maiden¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English mægden, equivalent to mægd, mæg(e)th (cognate with German Magd, Gothic magaths ) + -en -en ⁵

Word History and Origins

Origin of maiden¹

Old English mægden; related to Old High German magad, Old Norse mogr young man, Old Irish mug slave

Example Sentences

She was named player of the match for her all-round blitz as India won their maiden Women's World Cup title at a packed DY Patil Stadium.

Read more on Barron's

India's maiden World Cup win is likely to see them become a juggernaut in women's cricket, says former England spinner Alex Hartley.

Read more on BBC

It was the first time a filly has won this race coming off a maiden win in her last start.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Having ended their 18-match losing Test run in July against Japan, who they face in their second autumn fixture, the first two matches offer Tandy the best chance of getting his maiden victory.

Read more on BBC

Until this month, she kept the title Sarah, Duchess of York - but she reverted to her maiden name of Ferguson after Andrew voluntarily gave up the usage of the Duke of York title.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• inaugural 
• introductory