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# handmaid

noun (handmaids) (old use)

«handmaid» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

(old use) A handmaid is a young woman who serves a lady or a princess, a lady's maid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/handmaid/#m1)

### In the lessons

in fairy tales, a servant girl who waits on a princess or a lady

### Examples

- The lady walked out with her handmaids. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/handmaid/#x1)
- A kind handmaid brought the queen her tea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/handmaid/#x2)

### Note

nothing for maths

## In Jewish tradition

Used for a woman servant, such as Zilpah and Bilhah, or humbly for oneself when speaking to someone of higher rank. Proverbs mentions a handmaid who becomes her mistress's heir. Joel says God will pour His spirit even on handmaids.

**Interpretation.** A handmaid could also be a secondary wife who bore children for the household, as with Jacob's sons. Tradition sees the humble use, as with Hannah or Abigail, as a sign of modesty and respect. Joel's promise is read as showing that God's spirit is for all people.

### Examples

- And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a son. (Torah GEN.30.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/handmaid/#x1)
- And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a second son. (Torah GEN.30.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/handmaid/#x2)
- and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid: Dan and Naphtali; (Torah GEN.35.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/handmaid/#x3)
- And when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thy handmaid.' (Prophets 1SA.25.31, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/handmaid/#x4)
- For an odious woman when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress. (Writings PRO.30.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/handmaid/#x5)
- And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My spirit. (Prophets JOL.3.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/handmaid/#x6)

### Note

nothing for maths

## Early Modern English

### Meaning

a female servant, often a young woman who serves a lady or household. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/handmaid/#m1)

### Then and now

An old word, rarely used today; we say maidservant or servant girl.

### Examples

- And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a son. (Torah GEN.30.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/handmaid/#x1)
- When the Lady Jamila heard that Prince Almas was near, she went out, with many a fair handmaid, to give him loving reception. (The Brown Fairy Book) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/handmaid/#x2)
- And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a second son. (Torah GEN.30.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/handmaid/#x3)

### Note

Today: maidservant.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «handmaid» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/handmaid/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«handmaid» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/handmaid.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «handmaid» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/handmaid/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«handmaid» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/handmaid.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «handmaid» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/handmaid/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«handmaid» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/handmaid.html) on Mova free.