tweeny

American  

[twee-nee] / ˈtwi ni /

noun

tweenies plural

1. 'tween.

2. British Informal. an auxiliary maid.

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tweeny British  

/ ˈtwiːnɪ /

noun

1. informal a maid who assists both cook and housemaid

2. Also: tweenie.  informal

   1. a child of approximately eight to fourteen years of age

   2. ( as modifier )

      tweeny magazines

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Etymology

Origin of tweeny

First recorded in 1885–90; (be)tween + -y ²

Example Sentences

“Owl” sets itself apart from other tweeny series with its robust L.G.B.T.Q. representation and its zippy, self-aware jokes.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2022

He’s also a really interesting person under all the hair and tweeny angst, and he’s as tired of being told what to do as I am of telling.

From Washington Post • Dec. 20, 2021

The "tweeny," who also describes herself as a boot-boy, is a young war-widow.

From The Sword of Deborah First-hand impressions of the British Women's Army in France by Jesse, F. Tennyson (Fryniwyd Tennyson)

It was a typical early Victorian residence, inhabited by a spinster lady of early Victorian type and her four henchwomen—Heap the cook, Mary the housemaid, Mason the parlourmaid, and Jane the tweeny.

From Flaming June by Gilbert, A.

Miss Tregear be a whisht poor woman, With her big fine house an' her carriage an' pair; Her keeps four maids, not countin' the tweeny, An' another especial to do her hair.

From Cornish Catches and Other Verses by Moore, Bernard