Handmaiden

usgb/ˈhændmeɪdn/
noun

A woman or girl who serves or helps someone, especially a woman who helps another woman.

In the novel, she played the role of the queen's handmaiden.
Visual representation of "handmaiden" - A woman or girl who serves or helps someone, especially a woman who helps another woman.

Often appears as...

  • queen's handmaiden
  • personal handmaiden
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Visual representation of "handmaiden"
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Historical Servitude

Originally implied a female servant's role in a historical or traditional setting, often subordinate.

Illustration for Historical Servitude
The handmaiden would rise at dawn to prepare her lady's bath.
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Literary Device

Often used in literature to depict a close, personal relationship between a female servant and her mistress.

Illustration for Literary Device
Each evening, the princess shared her secret worries with her trusted handmaiden.
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Antiquated Term

May sound old-fashioned and is less used in modern times, except in historical contexts.

Illustration for Antiquated Term
The job posting requested a nanny, not a handmaiden.
Visual representation of the word "Handmaiden"

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