online medical dictionary | definition of maid

1. An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; especially, a girl; a virgin; a maiden. "Would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never borne thee son." (Shak) "Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me." (Jer. Ii. 32)

2. A man who has not had sexual intercourse. "Christ was a maid and shapen as a man." (Chaucer)

3. A female servant. "Spinning amongst her maids." (Shak)

Maid is used either adjectively or in composition, signifying female, as in maid child, maidservant.

4. <zoology> The female of a ray or skate, especially. Of the gray skate (Raia batis), and of the thornback (R. Clavata). Fair maid.

<zoology> See Fair, Maid of honor, a female attendant of a queen or royal princess; usually of noble family, and having to perform only nominal or honorary duties. Old maid. See Old.

Origin: Shortened from maiden. See Maiden.

(01 Mar 1998)