MAIDEN (2)

maiden (2). Maiden, a. fresh, new, unpolluted, untainted

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Maid″en, a. 1. 1. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. “Amid the maiden throng.” Addison.
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ? Shak. 2. 2. Never having been married; not having had sexual intercourse; virgin; — said usually of the woman, but sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. “A surprising old maiden lady.” Thackeray.
3. 3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. “Maiden flowers.” Shak.
Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword. Shak. 4. 4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. T. Warton. Macaulay.
Maiden assize (Eng. Law), an assize which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of white gloves. Smart. — Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her marriage. — Maiden pink. (Bot.) See under Pink. — Maiden plum (Bot.), a West Indian tree (Comocladia integrifolia) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree is glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain. — Maiden speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a new member in a public body. — Maiden tower, the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.