waiting-woman
Definition
- Noun (countable):
- A female personal attendant: A "waiting-woman" is a woman employed to attend to the personal needs of a lady or a noblewoman, especially in a royal or aristocratic household.
Usage Examples
- (A female attendant assisting with formal attire.)
- (She worked as a personal companion and helper to a noblewoman.)
Advanced Usage
"to be a waiting-woman": to hold the position of a female attendant.
- In historical courts, being a waiting-woman was a respectable role for a young woman of good family. (The role was considered honourable and suitable for certain social classes.)
"the duties of a waiting-woman": the specific tasks performed by such an attendant.
- A waiting-woman’s duties included arranging her lady’s hair, managing her wardrobe, and accompanying her on social visits. (The tasks were personal and domestic in nature.)
Variants and Related Words
Waiting-maid (n): an alternative term for a waiting-woman, often used interchangeably.
- The waiting-maid brought tea to the lady’s chamber. (The female servant performed a similar role.)
Lady-in-waiting (n): a more formal and aristocratic term for a woman who attends a queen or princess, though this implies a higher social rank than a waiting-woman.
- The lady-in-waiting was a close confidante of the queen. (A noblewoman serving as a companion, not merely a servant.)
Synonyms
- Attendant: a person who assists or serves another.
- Maid: a female domestic servant (less specific and often lower in status).
- Handmaid: a female servant, often in a historical or biblical context.
Related Idioms
"to wait on someone hand and foot": to serve someone very attentively, as a waiting-woman would.
- The waiting-woman waited on her mistress hand and foot. (She provided full, devoted service.)
"to be at someone’s beck and call": to be constantly available to serve someone.
- A waiting-woman was always at the lady’s beck and call. (She was ready to respond to any request immediately.)