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Maiden assize

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Maiden \Maid"en\, a.
   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. 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. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused.
      ``Maiden flowers.'' --Shak.

            Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword.
                                                  --Shak.

   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.
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