Maiden speech

Maiden speech
Maiden 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. [1913 Webster]

Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. ``Maiden flowers.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. -- T. Warton. Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

{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.

{maiden voyage} the first regular service voyage of a ship. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Synonyms:
(in public)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • maiden speech — maiden speeches N COUNT A politician s maiden speech is the first speech that he or she makes in parliament after becoming a member of it. [BRIT] …   English dictionary

  • maiden speech — noun count the first speech that a politician makes after being elected for the first time …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Maiden speech — (engl., spr. mēden ßpītsch), s. Jungfernrede …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Maiden speech — (engl., spr. mehd n spihtsch), Jungfernrede, die erstmalige Rede eines Versammlungsmitgliedes …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • maiden speech — the first speech made in a legislature by a newly elected member. [1785 95] * * * maiden speech noun A person s first speech, esp that of an MP in Parliament • • • Main Entry: ↑maiden * * * maiden speech UK US noun [countable] [singular maiden sp …   Useful english dictionary

  • Maiden speech — A maiden speech is the first speech given by a newly elected or appointed member of a legislature or parliament. Traditions surrounding maiden speeches vary from country to country. In many Westminster system governments, there is a convention… …   Wikipedia

  • maiden speech — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms maiden speech : singular maiden speech plural maiden speeches the first speech that a politician makes in Parliament after being elected for the first time …   English dictionary

  • maiden speech — {n. phr.} One s first public speech, usually before some legislative body. * /It was the new congressman s maiden speech and everyone was listening very keenly./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • maiden speech — {n. phr.} One s first public speech, usually before some legislative body. * /It was the new congressman s maiden speech and everyone was listening very keenly./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • maiden\ speech — n. phr. One s first public speech, usually before some legislative body. It was the new congressman s maiden speech and everyone was listening very keenly …   Словарь американских идиом

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