The Collaborative International Dictionary
Maiden \Maid"en\, a.
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Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. ``Amid the maiden throng.''
--Addison.Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ?
--Shak. Never having been married; not having had sexual intercourse; virgin; -- said usually of the woman, but sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. ``A surprising old maiden lady.''
--Thackeray.-
Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. ``Maiden flowers.''
--Shak.Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword.
--Shak. -
Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. -- T. Warton. Macaulay.
Maiden assize (Eng. Law), an assize which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of white gloves.
--Smart.Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her marriage.
Maiden pink. (Bot.) See under Pink.
Maiden plum (Bot.), a West Indian tree ( Comocladia integrifolia) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree is glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain.
Maiden speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a new member in a public body.
Maiden tower, the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.
maiden voyage the first regular service voyage of a ship.