Maiden
/ˈmeɪ.dən/noun
A young unmarried woman.
Did you know?In ancient times, the term 'maiden' was often associated with divine femininity, representing both purity and the potential for magic and transformation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*magðō
“A young woman or girl.”
Old English
OE
mægden
“A young girl; a virgin.”
Old High German
OHG
maht
“Maid; young woman.”
Middle English
ME
maiden
“Young woman, often specifically an unmarried one.”
Modern English
English
maiden
“Continued to denote an unmarried young woman, often with connotations of purity.”