maidenhood

American  

[meyd-n-hood] / ˈmeɪd nˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state or time of being a maiden or virgin.

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maidenhood British  

/ ˈmeɪdənˌhʊd /

noun

1. the time during which a woman is a maiden or a virgin

2. the condition of being a maiden or virgin

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Etymology

Origin of maidenhood

before 900; Middle English; Old English mægdenhād. See maiden, -hood

Example Sentences

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

As idealized beings who belonged in the house, women were supposed to go from maidenhood to motherhood.

From Washington Post

Surely this is a modern woman who has evolved past the ickiness of desiring to be rescued from her maidenhood by her very own Prince Charming.

From The Guardian

And when Constantia herself becomes a matron of this plantation she will not deport herself becomingly if she spend her maidenhood fostering vanity in others.

From Project Gutenberg

In the meantime she lay at the mercy of her mother and brothers, with all the traditions of her family, all the prejudices of maidenhood and her education against my suit.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chastity