Maid·en, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. “Amid the maiden throng.”
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ? --Shak.
2. Never having been married; not having had sexual intercourse; virgin; -- said usually of the woman, but sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. “A surprising old maiden lady.”
3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. “Maiden flowers.”
Full bravely hast thou fleshed
Thy maiden sword. --Shak.
4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated.
Maiden assize Eng. Law, an assize which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of white gloves. --Smart.
Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her marriage.
Maiden pink. Bot. See under Pink.
Maiden plum Bot., a West Indian tree (Comocladia integrifolia) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree is glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain.
Maiden speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a new member in a public body.
Maiden tower, the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.
maiden voyage the first regular service voyage of a ship.