Damsel
/ˈdæm.zəl/noun
A young unmarried woman, especially in historical or literary contexts.
Did you know?The word came through Anglo-French from Old French *dameisele*, a feminine form tied to *dame* (“lady”), so its history is less “helpless princess” and more “young noblewoman.”
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
domina
“lady, mistress of a household”
Old French
OF
dameisele
“young lady; maiden”
Anglo-French
AF
damesel
“young lady; female attendant of noble rank”
Middle English
ME
damsel
“young woman, especially of gentle birth”
Modern English
EN
damsel
“a young unmarried woman, especially in literary or historical use”