Dictionary entry

Wench

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wench, wensh (shiphchah): The word "wench" is found only in2Sa 17:17the King James Version, where the Revised Version (British and American) has "maid-servant." The Hebrew word shiphchah here used is a common term for maid-servant, female slave. the King James Version used the word "wench" to convey the meaning maid-servant, which was a common use of the word at that time, but it is now practically obsolete.