lady'maid

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A lady's maid is a female personal attendant who serves a woman of high social status, especially in a wealthy household. This role involves tasks such as helping with dressing, hairdressing, and maintaining the lady's wardrobe.

Usage Examples

• (The personal attendant prepared the formal dress.)
• (The maid serves as a trusted companion in fiction.)

Advanced Usage

• "lady's maid" as a historical role: In the 18th and 19th centuries, a lady's maid was considered a skilled domestic servant, distinct from a housemaid or cook.
  • She was employed as a lady's maid to the duchess, responsible for her wardrobe and toilette. (The maid specialized in personal care for the aristocratic woman.)

Variants and Related Words

• Maid (n): a female domestic servant.
  • The maid cleaned the rooms every morning. (A general household servant.)
• Lady (n): a woman of high social rank or refinement.
  • The lady of the house greeted her guests. (The female head of a household.)

Synonyms

• Personal maid: a female attendant who serves a specific individual.
• Chambermaid: a maid who cleans bedrooms (though not exclusively personal).
• Abigail: an archaic term for a lady's maid (from the biblical name).

Related Idioms

• To be a lady's maid: to serve as a personal attendant.
  • She learned the skills of a lady's maid from her mother. (She acquired the trade of personal service.)