maidenhead

[meyd-n-hed]

noun

the hymen.
maidenhood; virginity.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for maidenhead

Historical Examples of maidenhead

All the better for you, for you can sell your maidenhead after having had two lovers.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
I make it eleven because if it's fine we might run down and have the day at Maidenhead.
The Letter of the Contract
Basil King
How he betrayed his friends at Maidenhead Bridge is recounted in the text.
The White Rose of Langley
Emily Sarah Holt
I wrote to the man I know at Maidenhead to have a boat ready—a good one.
Christopher Hibbault, Roadmaker
Marguerite Bryant
Maidenhead bridges, rail and road, span the river above Bray.
The Thames
G. E. Mitton

British Dictionary definitions for maidenhead

maidenhead

noun

a nontechnical word for the hymen
virginity; maidenhood

Word Origin for maidenhead

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

Maidenhead

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

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

maidenhead in Medicine

maidenhead

[mād′n-hĕd′]

The condition or quality of being a maiden; virginity.
The hymen.