maidenhead

[ meyd-n-hed ]

/ ˈmeɪd nˌhɛd /

noun

the hymen.

maidenhood; virginity.

Nearby words

Origin of maidenhead

First recorded in 1200–50, maidenhead is from the Middle English word maidenhed. See maiden, -head

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for maidenhead

They expended their excitement and emotion in rowing furiously, and landed again at Maidenhead in time for tea.
Christopher Hibbault, Roadmaker|Marguerite Bryant
The name Maidenhead is derived from Maiden-hithe, or wharf, as a large wharf for wood at one time stood near the bridge.
The Thames|G. E. Mitton
So that I now had five shillings and fourpence, a clear five shillings after paying for my bed at Maidenhead.
Beggars|W. H. (William Henry) Davies
Maidenhead Thicket is really a long avenue lining the highway two miles from that town.
The Bath Road|Charles G. (Charles George) Harper

Zeno, amongst his laws, also regulated the motions to be observed in getting a maidenhead.
The Essays of Montaigne, Complete|Michel de Montaigne

British Dictionary definitions for maidenhead (1 of 2)

maidenhead

/ (ˈmeɪdənˌhɛd) /

noun

a nontechnical word for the hymen

virginity; maidenhood

Word Origin for maidenhead

C13: from maiden + -hed, variant of -hood

British Dictionary definitions for maidenhead (2 of 2)

Maidenhead

/ (ˈmeɪdənˌhɛd) /

noun

a town in S England, in Windsor and Maidenhead unitary authority, Berkshire, on the River Thames. Pop: 58 848 (2001)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for maidenhead

maidenhead

c.1200, from maiden (n.) + -head (see godhead). Cf. also maidehede (c.1200) "celibacy, virginity" (of men or women).

Medicine definitions for maidenhead

maidenhead

[ mād′n-hĕd′ ]

n.

The condition or quality of being a maiden; virginity.

The hymen.