handmaiden

noun

hand·​maid·​en ˈhan(d)-ˌmā-dᵊn How to pronounce handmaiden (audio)
variants or less commonly handmaid
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 handmaidenGary Michael

Examples of handmaiden in a Sentence

the princess was intensely shy, and allowed only her handmaiden to enter her chambers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Already convinced the coaches were nothing but handmaidens to the app, the firm piled on new clients heedlessly. Allison Pugh, TIME, 14 Aug. 2024 Some of its most savage jokes lie in the dynamics between master and servant — and none of those are more toxic than the one between Pampinea and her loyal handmaiden Misia (Derry Girls‘ Saoirse-Monica Jackson). Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2024 Just for having been a handmaiden in that extraordinary outcome, hyperglobalization deserves—if not three—at least two cheers. Dev Patel, Foreign Affairs, 12 June 2024 In an 8-7 decision, the court rejected their attempt to remake the country’s judiciary into a handmaiden of the government. Lloyd Green, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for handmaiden 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handmaiden was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near handmaiden

Cite this Entry

“Handmaiden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handmaiden. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

handmaiden

noun
hand·​maid·​en -ˌmād-ən How to pronounce handmaiden (audio)
variants also handmaid
: a female servant or attendant
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