Maid of honor

Maid of honor
Maid Maid, n. [Shortened from maiden. ?. See {Maiden}.] 1. An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a girl; a virgin; a maiden. [1913 Webster]

Would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never borne thee son. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me. --Jer. ii. 32. [1913 Webster]

2. A man who has not had sexual intercourse. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Christ was a maid and shapen as a man. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

3. A female servant. [1913 Webster]

Spinning amongst her maids. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Note: Maid is used either adjectively or in composition, signifying female, as in maid child, maidservant. [1913 Webster]

4. (Zo["o]l.) The female of a ray or skate, esp. of the gray skate ({Raia batis}), and of the thornback ({Raia clavata}). [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]

{Fair maid}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Fair}, a.

{Maid of honor}, a female attendant of a queen or royal princess; -- usually of noble family, and having to perform only nominal or honorary duties.

{Old maid}. See under {Old}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Maid of honor — Honor Hon or ([o^]n [ e]r), n. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.] [Written also {honour}.] 1. Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • maid of honor — n. ☆ 1. an unmarried woman acting as chief attendant to the bride at a wedding: cf. MATRON OF HONOR 2. an unmarried woman, usually of noble birth, attending a queen or princess …   English World dictionary

  • maid of honor — noun count 1. ) the main BRIDESMAID at a wedding, who helps the woman getting married 2. ) a young woman from a high social class who is not married and who takes care of a queen or princess …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • maid of honor — noun an unmarried woman who attends the bride at a wedding • Syn: ↑bridesmaid • Hypernyms: ↑attendant, ↑attender, ↑tender, ↑woman, ↑adult female • Member Holonyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • maid of honor — maid′ of hon′or n. 1) an unmarried woman who is the chief attendant of a bride Compare matron of honor 2) an unmarried woman, usu. of noble birth, attendant on a queen or princess • Etymology: 1580–90 …   From formal English to slang

  • maid of honor — Date: circa 1586 1. an unmarried lady usually of noble birth whose duty it is to attend a queen or a princess 2. a bride s principal unmarried wedding attendant compare matron of honor …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • maid of honor — 1. an unmarried woman who is the chief attendant of a bride. Cf. matron of honor. 2. an unmarried woman, usually of noble birth, attendant on a queen or princess. [1580 90] * * * …   Universalium

  • maid of honor — noun The primary woman who attends the bride at a wedding ceremony …   Wiktionary

  • maid of honor — bride s leading attendant; queen s attendant …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Maid — Maid, n. [Shortened from maiden. ?. See {Maiden}.] 1. An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a girl; a virgin; a maiden. [1913 Webster] Would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never borne thee son. Shak. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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