Maid

the Maid

1. (astronomy, astrology) The constellation and zodiacal sign Virgo.
   • 1668, ‘Godfridus’, The Knowledge of Things Unknown, London: G.P. for G. Sawbridge, page 20:

     Virgo, the Maid, guideth the Womb, Midriff and Guts.

   • 1889 February 7, The Herald, Melbourne, page 4, column 3:

     The diamond is said to typify innocence, and it is also associated with Virgo, the maid, in the Signs of the Zodiac, whilst the ruby is associated with the sign Aries, the ram.

   • 1947 November 14, Mountain District Free Press and Frentree Gully News, Tecoma, Vic., page 8, column 2:

     For they are so easy to recall if you do it in associated pairs—like the Maid and the Twins, the Bull and the Rain, the Fishes and the Scales.

From Middle High German mait, meit, contracted form of Old High German maget, thus a doublet of Magd (“maid”). Cognates with Dutch meid, maagd, Low German Meid, Maagd, Gothic 𐌼𐌰𐌲𐌰𐌸𐍃 (magaþs) and English maid.

• IPA^(key): /maɪ̯t/

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

• Homophone: meid

Maid f (genitive Maid, plural Maiden)

1. (now poetic) girl, maiden, virgin

   Leb wohl, du holde Maid!

   Farewell, you dainty maiden!

• Mädchen
• Magd

• “Maid” in Duden online