handmaid

• Nom désignant une femme servant comme domestique ou suivante, terme historiquement courant mais aujourd'hui largement vieilli dans l'usage quotidien.

A noun referring to a female servant or attendant, historically common but now largely archaic in everyday usage.

1. B2formal

   A female servant or attendant who assists a mistress or lady.

   Servante

   • The handmaid brought the queen her morning tea.
   • In medieval times, a handmaid would attend to the lady of the castle.
   • She served as a handmaid to the duchess for many years.

   Synonymesattendantchambermaidhandmaidenmaidmaidservant

   Antonymesmastermistress

2. Subordinate helperC1formal

   Something that serves a subordinate or supporting role to a more important thing.

   auxiliaire subordonné

   • In this theory, logic is merely the handmaid of philosophy.
   • Science is often considered the handmaid of technology.
   • The media can act as a handmaid to political propaganda.

   Synonymesadjunctaidassistantauxiliaryhandmaidenservantsupport

   Antonymesleadermasterprincipal