maidenhood
Americannoun
noun
-
the time during which a woman is a maiden or a virgin
-
the condition of being a maiden or virgin
Etymology
Origin of maidenhood
before 900; Middle English; Old English mægdenhād. See maiden, -hood
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I banned the word “obey” from our vows and I rejected the white dress that pushed archaic notions of female innocence, chastity, maidenhood and modesty.
From Washington Post • May 30, 2022
Jaime is such a villain, but his time in the Starks custody has humbled him, as we see when he manages to keep Brienne's maidenhood safe.
From Slate • Apr. 15, 2013
Soon all the 25-year-old virgins of Paris, apparently some 50 or 60 strong, go parading in homage to Catherine, patron saint of maidenhood.
From Time Magazine Archive
Among them is the stockbroker, Masterson's friend, who used to kiss Irene in her maidenhood, a triviality which she has decided to conceal from Masterson.
From Time Magazine Archive
The blossoms of roses betoken by their redness martyrdom, and the lilies by their whiteness betoken the shining purity of inviolate maidenhood.
From The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church Containing the Sermones Catholici, or Homilies of ?lfric, in the Original Anglo-Saxon, with an English Version. Volume I. by Aelfric, Abbot of Eynsham
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
