handmaiden Definition
- 1a female servant or personal assistant
- 2a person or thing that is subservient to or controlled by another
Using handmaiden: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "handmaiden" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She worked as a handmaiden for the queen.
Example
The media was accused of being a handmaiden to the government.
Example
The company was seen as a handmaiden to the oil industry.
Example
He saw himself as a handmaiden to the arts.
handmaiden Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with handmaiden
a person or thing that plays a significant role in shaping historical events
Example
The internet has become the handmaiden of history, changing the way we communicate and interact with each other.
a person or thing that serves those in positions of authority or control
Example
The media is often seen as a handmaiden to power, promoting the interests of those in government or business.
a person or thing that contributes to scientific progress or discovery
Example
The microscope has been called the handmaiden of science, allowing us to see and study things that were previously invisible.
Origins of handmaiden
from Old English 'hand' meaning 'servant' and 'maiden' meaning 'young woman'
Summary: handmaiden in Brief
The term 'handmaiden' [ˈhandˌmeɪdn] refers to a female servant or personal assistant, or a person or thing that is subservient to or controlled by another. It can be used in various contexts, such as 'She worked as a handmaiden for the queen.' and 'The media was accused of being a handmaiden to the government.' The phrase 'handmaiden of history' denotes a person or thing that plays a significant role in shaping historical events.
