maidenhood

From Middle English maydenhode, meidenhod, maȝdenhad, from Old English mæġdenhād (“maidenhood”), equivalent to maiden +‎ -hood.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪd(ə)nhʊd/

maidenhood (countable and uncountable, plural maidenhoods)

1. (uncountable) The condition of being a maiden; the time when one is a maiden or young girl.
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter iij, in Le Morte Darthur, book XI:

     Thenne she said my lord sir launcelot I biseche yow see me as soone as ye may / for I haue obeyed me vnto the prophecy that my fader teld me / And by his commaūdement to fulfille this prophecy I haue gyuen the grettest rychesse and the fayrest floure that euer I had / and that is my maydenhode that I shalle neuer haue ageyne / and therfore gentyl knyȝt owe me youre good wille

2. A woman's virginity or maidenhead.
3. Freshness; newness.

• maidhood

• maidenhead