Dictionary entry

Maiden (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Maid″en, a. 1. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. “Amid the maiden throng.” Addison.

Have you no modesty, no maiden shame? Shak.

2. Never having been married; not having had sexual intercourse; virgin; — said usually of the woman, but sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. “A surprising old maiden lady.” Thackeray.

3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. “Maiden flowers.” Shak.

Full bravely hast thou fleshed

Thy maiden sword. Shak.

4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. T. Warton. Macaulay.

Maiden assize(Eng. Law), an assize which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of white gloves. Smart.Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her marriage. — Maiden pink. (Bot.) See under Pink. — Maiden plum(Bot.), a West Indian tree (Comocladia integrifolia) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree is glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain. — Maiden speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a new member in a public body. — Maiden tower, the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.