handmaiden

hand·maid·en

noun \-ˌmā-d^ən\

Definition of HANDMAIDEN

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>

Variants of HANDMAIDEN

hand·maid·en also hand·maid \-ˌmād\

Examples of HANDMAIDEN

1. <the princess was intensely shy, and allowed only her handmaiden to enter her chambers>

First Known Use of HANDMAIDEN

13th century

Related to HANDMAIDEN

Synonyms: biddy, char [British], charwoman, maid (also handmaid), house girl, housekeeper, housemaid, maidservant, skivvy [British], wench

Related Words: attendant, chambermaid; abigail, lady-in-waiting, maid-in-waiting; au pair, nursemaid; domestic, menial; amah, ayah

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Rhymes with HANDMAIDEN

menhaden