2. Something or someone serving in a subordinate position;
as, theology should be the handmaiden of ethics. [WordNet
sense 1]
Syn: handmaid, servant. [WordNet 1.5]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
handmaiden — UK [ˈhændˌmeɪd(ə)n] / US or handmaid UK [ˈhændˌmeɪd] / US noun [countable] Word forms handmaiden : singular handmaiden plural handmaidens Word forms handmaid : singular handmaid plural handmaids 1) old fashioned a woman who is someone s servant… … English dictionary
handmaiden — [hand′mād΄ n] n. 1. Archaic a woman or girl servant or attendant 2. that which accompanies in a useful but subordinate capacity [law is the handmaiden of justice]: Also handmaid * * * … Universalium
handmaiden — [hand′mād΄ n] n. 1. Archaic a woman or girl servant or attendant 2. that which accompanies in a useful but subordinate capacity [law is the handmaiden of justice]: Also handmaid … English World dictionary
Handmaiden — A handmaiden (or handmaid) is a female attendant, assistant, domestic worker (servant), or slave. Contents 1 Domestic work 2 Religion 3 Other uses 4 See also … Wikipedia
handmaiden — [[t]hæ̱ndmeɪd(ə)n[/t]] handmaidens 1) N COUNT A handmaiden is a female servant. [LITERARY, OLD FASHIONED] 2) N COUNT: N of/to n If one thing is the handmaiden of another, the first thing helps the second or makes it possible. [FORMAL] He disliked … English dictionary
handmaiden — hand|maid|en [ˈhændˌmeıdn] n also hand|maid [ˈhændmeıd] 1.) old fashioned a female servant 2.) formal something that supports an idea, system, or way of life handmaiden of ▪ Science must not become the handmaiden of the state … Dictionary of contemporary English
handmaiden — also handmaid noun Date: 13th century 1. a personal maid or female servant 2. something whose essential function is to serve or assist < criticism is not the enemy of art but rather its handmaiden Gary Michael > … New Collegiate Dictionary
handmaiden — also hand.maid noun (C) 1 old use a female servant 2 formal an idea, principle etc that has an important part in supporting or helping another idea etc (+ of): Militarism, Ross wrote, is the handmaiden of imperialism … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
handmaiden — noun 1. in a subordinate position theology should be the handmaiden of ethics the state cannot be a servant of the church • Syn: ↑handmaid, ↑servant • Derivationally related forms: ↑serve (for: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
handmaiden — noun Variant spelling of handmaid … Wiktionary
