handmaid

noun (handmaids) (old use)

«handmaid» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(old use) A handmaid is a young woman who serves a lady or a princess, a lady's maid. tree →

In the lessons

in fairy tales, a servant girl who waits on a princess or a lady

Examples

The lady walked out with her handmaids. tree →
A kind handmaid brought the queen her tea. tree →

Note

nothing for maths

In Jewish tradition

Used for a woman servant, such as Zilpah and Bilhah, or humbly for oneself when speaking to someone of higher rank. Proverbs mentions a handmaid who becomes her mistress's heir. Joel says God will pour His spirit even on handmaids.

Interpretation. A handmaid could also be a secondary wife who bore children for the household, as with Jacob's sons. Tradition sees the humble use, as with Hannah or Abigail, as a sign of modesty and respect. Joel's promise is read as showing that God's spirit is for all people.

Examples

And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a son. (Torah GEN.30.10, JPS 1917) tree →
And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a second son. (Torah GEN.30.12, JPS 1917) tree →
and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid: Dan and Naphtali; (Torah GEN.35.25, JPS 1917) tree →
And when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thy handmaid.' (Prophets 1SA.25.31, JPS 1917) tree →
For an odious woman when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress. (Writings PRO.30.23, JPS 1917) tree →
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My spirit. (Prophets JOL.3.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

nothing for maths

Early Modern English

Meaning

a female servant, often a young woman who serves a lady or household. tree →

Then and now

An old word, rarely used today; we say maidservant or servant girl.

Examples

And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a son. (Torah GEN.30.10, JPS 1917) tree →
When the Lady Jamila heard that Prince Almas was near, she went out, with many a fair handmaid, to give him loving reception. (The Brown Fairy Book) tree →
And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a second son. (Torah GEN.30.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: maidservant.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «handmaid» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«handmaid» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «handmaid» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«handmaid» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «handmaid» in the Early Modern English dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«handmaid» in the Early Modern English dictionary on Mova free.

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