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Handmaiden: meaning, definitions and examples

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handmaiden

 

[ ˈhændˌmeɪ.dən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

servant role

A handmaiden is a female servant or attendant, particularly one who is responsible for personal tasks or duties for a lady of higher social standing. Historically, handmaidens played significant roles in royal courts, serving noblewomen and queens in various capacities. They were often responsible for the clothing, grooming, and overall care of their mistresses, and their roles may have included running errands or assisting in social activities. The term evokes a sense of loyalty and subservience, often associated with women in positions that serve others.

Synonyms

attendant, maid, servant, subordinate

Examples of usage

  • The queen's handmaiden helped her get ready for the royal ball.
  • In the historical drama, the handmaidens shared secrets in the shadows of the palace.
  • She was proud to be the handmaiden of a powerful lady.
  • The story depicted the life struggles of a handmaiden in a patriarchal society.

Translations

Translations of the word "handmaiden" in other languages:

🇵🇹 serva

🇮🇳 दासी

🇩🇪 Magd

🇮🇩 pelayan

🇺🇦 дослужниця

🇵🇱 służebnica

🇯🇵 女中

🇫🇷 servante

🇪🇸 sirvienta

🇹🇷 yeni hizmetçi

🇰🇷 하녀

🇸🇦 خادمة

🇨🇿 služebná

🇸🇰 služobnica

🇨🇳 女仆

🇸🇮 služkinja

🇮🇸 þjónustustúlka

🇰🇿 қызметші

🇬🇪 მსახური

🇦🇿 xidmətçi

🇲🇽 sirvienta

Etymology

The term 'handmaiden' originates from Middle English 'handmaiden,' which is a compound of 'hand' and 'maiden.' The word 'hand' refers to the physical aspect of servitude, implying someone who is literally 'at hand' to assist. 'Maiden' is an archaic term for a young woman or girl, traditionally implying virginity and purity. The roots of the word can be traced back to Old English 'handmaiden,' meaning a female servant or girl who performed various duties for her employer. Throughout history, 'handmaiden' has been associated with the roles of women in servitude, especially in noble households, where they held a position of trust and loyalty. The term has also evolved to be used metaphorically in literature and popular culture, often reflecting themes of subservience and women's roles in society.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,167 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.