maidenheads

Noun

maidenhead (countable and uncountable, plural maidenheads)

1. (countable, literally) The hymen.
   • Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; take it in what sense thou wilt.c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
2. (metonymically, uncountable) Virginity.
   • Put in but little Silver or Gold, for if you do, you quite spoil the Compoſition ; but inſtead thereof, add of Tradeſmens Bills for Cloaths, to the Value of 100 l. [¶] Laſtly, Take away the Girl's Maidenhead, and then the Compoſition is fit for Uſe.1713, Sir John Willes, The Speech that was Intended to Have Been Spoken by the Terræ-Filius: In the Theatre at O----d, July 13, 1713, Had Not His Mouth Been Stopp'd by the V. Ch------r

   Synonyms:

   maidhood, maidenhood

See all 3 meanings of maidenhead