maidenlike
adjEtymology From maiden + -like.
1
Like a maiden; gentle, demure.
- 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?1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 15, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
- 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[…].1820, Walter Scott, The Abbot:
- Synonyms
- maidenly
- Antonyms
- unmaidenlike