maiden
Happening for the first time, like a maiden voyage.
Maiden has two main meanings that share a common thread:
- An old-fashioned word for a young, unmarried woman. You'll encounter this meaning in fairy tales, Shakespeare's plays, and older literature. A “fair maiden” in a medieval story is simply a young woman, often the heroine of the tale. The word sounds formal and poetic today, which is why modern writers rarely use it except in historical or fantasy settings.
- Something happening for the first time, especially in formal contexts. A ship's maiden voyage is its very first journey across the ocean. A politician might give a maiden speech when addressing Congress for the first time. A cricket player's maiden century is the first time they score 100 runs in a match.