maidenlike

English

Etymology

From maiden +‎ -like.

Adjective

maidenlike (comparative more maidenlike, superlative most maidenlike)

1. Like a maiden; gentle, demure.
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 15, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:

     Whereto serves this mayden-like bashfulnesse […] but to increase a desire and endeare a longing in us to vanquish, to gourmandize, and at our pleasure to dispose all this squeamish ceremonie, and all these peevish obstacles?

   • 1820, Walter Scott, The Abbot:

     But on half a minute's reflection, the damsel changed totally her attitude and manner, folded her cloak around her arms in modest and maidenlike fashion, and walked of her own accord to the presence of the great man […].

Synonyms

• maidenly

Antonyms

• unmaidenlike

Translations

like a maiden

• Georgian: ქალწულური (kalc̣uluri)
• Irish: maighdeanúil, mánla