damsel — late 12c., from O.Fr. dameisele woman of noble birth (Mod.Fr. demoiselle young lady ), modified (by association with dame) from earlier donsele, from Gallo Romance *domnicella, dim. of L. domina lady (see DAME (Cf. dame)). Archaic until revived… … Etymology dictionary
damsel — [n] maiden colleen, lady, lass, lassie, miss, virgin, woman, young girl, young woman; concepts 414,415 … New thesaurus
damsel — ► NOUN archaic or literary ▪ a young unmarried woman. ORIGIN Old French dameisele, from Latin domina mistress … English terms dictionary
damsel — [dam′zəl] n. [damesele < OFr dameisele < VL * dominicella, dim. of L domina: see DAME] Now Literary a girl; maiden … English World dictionary
damsel — A damsel was originally a young unmarried lady of noble birth, but soon after the introduction of the word from French it appears to have taken on the general meaning of ‘young woman’, ‘a country lass’. In French the word demoiselle was… … A dictionary of epithets and terms of address
damsel — UK [ˈdæmz(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms damsel : singular damsel plural damsels an old word for a young woman who is not married • a damsel in distress … English dictionary
damsel — [[t]dæ̱mz(ə)l[/t]] damsels N COUNT A damsel is a young, unmarried woman. [LITERARY, OLD FASHIONED] He keeps coming to the aid of this damsel in distress. Syn: maiden … English dictionary
damsel — dam|sel [ˈdæmzəl] n old use [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: dameisele, from Latin domina lady of high rank ] 1.) a young woman who is not married 2.) damsel in distress a young woman who needs help or protection used humorously … Dictionary of contemporary English
damsel — dam|sel [ dæmzl ] noun count an old word for a young woman who is not married a damsel in distress HUMOROUS a woman who is in trouble and needs help … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
damsel — noun (C) 1 old use a young woman who is not married 2 damsel in distress humorous a young woman who needs help or protection … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
