maiden

Everyday

1. (old, literary) A maiden is a girl or young woman who is not married. tree →
2. Maiden as an adjective means first, for example a ship's maiden voyage. tree →
3. A maiden name is the family name a woman had before she married. tree →
4. (cricket) A maiden (over) is an over in which no runs are scored. tree →

In the lessons

In fairy tales: a fair maiden in a tower. In history and news: the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. In sport: a maiden over in cricket. On forms: «mother's maiden name».

Examples

• The knight rescued the maiden from the dragon. tree →
• The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage in 1912. tree →
• My mum's maiden name was Murphy. tree →
• The bowler sent down a maiden over. tree →
• The pilot made his maiden flight. tree →
• She gave her maiden speech in Parliament. tree →
• "Hail, fair maiden!" says the hunter. tree →

Note

The «young girl» meaning is old-fashioned and found in stories. «Maiden» as «first» comes before the noun: maiden voyage, maiden flight. Not to be confused with «made».

In Jewish tradition

It means a young girl or unmarried young woman, or a girl who serves a lady. In the primary lessons: In fairy tales: a fair maiden in a tower. In history and news: the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. In sport: a maiden over in cricket. On forms: «mother's maiden name».

Examples

• And Pharaoh's daughter said to her: 'Go.' And the maiden went and called the child's mother. (Torah EXO.2.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe in the river; and her maidens walked along by the river-side; and she saw the ark among the flags, and sent her handmaid to fetch it. (Torah EXO.2.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• behold, I stand by the fountain of water; and let it come to pass, that the maiden that cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say: Give me, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher to drink; (Torah GEN.24.43, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? (Writings JOB.40.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• Both young men and maidens, old men and children; (Writings PSA.148.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and maidens without number. (Writings SNG.6.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

The «young girl» meaning is old-fashioned and found in stories. «Maiden» as «first» comes before the noun: maiden voyage, maiden flight. Not to be confused with «made».