maiden etymology

Etymology

The word "maiden" is derived from the Middle English word "mayden," which in turn comes from the Old English word "mæden." The Old English word is cognate with the Old High German word "magad" (meaning "girl, maiden"), the Old Saxon word "magath" (meaning "girl"), and the Old Norse word "mey" (meaning "girl, maiden").

Meaning

The word "maiden" has several meanings:

• A young unmarried woman
• A virgin
• A woman who is innocent or inexperienced
• A servant girl
• A symbol of purity or innocence

Origin

The ultimate origin of the word "maiden" is unknown, but it is thought to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root *magh-, which means "to be able." This root is also the origin of the words "may" and "might."

Usage

The word "maiden" is often used in a poetic or romantic sense. It can also be used in a derogatory sense, to refer to a woman who is considered to be naive or inexperienced. However, the word is generally used in a positive sense, to refer to a young woman who is pure, innocent, and virtuous.

maiden relate terms

• girl

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• brat

  Etymology Middle Low German brat meaning roast meat Old High German braten meanin

• lass

  Etymology The word lass derives from two possible sources Old English las meani

• maiden

  Etymology The word maiden is derived from the Middle English word mayden which in tu

• maid

  Etymology The word maid comes from the Old English word mægden meaning young woma

• maiden

  Etymology The word maiden is derived from the Middle English word mayden which in tu

• housemaid

  Etymology The word housemaid is a compound word that comes from the Middle English word

• chambermaid

  Etymology chamber Old French chambre maid Old English mægð Meaning A fe

• first

  Etymology the study of the origin and development of words and their meanings Meaning

• Regina

  Etymology The name Regina is derived from the Latin word regina meaning queen or s

• Halifax

  Etymology The name Halifax is derived from two Old English words Halig pronounced

• Sabrina

  Etymology The name Sabrina is of Celtic origin Meaning Princess or Goddess of the R

• Parthenon

  Etymology The word Parthenon comes from the Greek word parthenos which means virgin

• damsel

  Etymology The word damsel originated from Old French damoisele which in turn came fr

• rove

  Etymology The word rove comes from the Middle English roven which in turn derives f

• miss

  Etymological Origin The word miss has its roots in two languages Middle English mi