"Handmaidens" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples
"Handmaidens" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
"Handmaidens" Meaning
Plural noun. Handmaidens refers to a group of female attendants, servants, or followers who attend to the needs of a high-ranking person, especially a woman, such as a queen, princess, or lady. The term often connotes a sense of subservience, dedication, and loyalty. In modern usage, the term is often used metaphorically to describe a group of people who assist or support someone in a powerful or influential position.
"Handmaidens" Examples
Usage Examples for "Handmaidens"
1. Historical Context
During the Roman Empire, the handmaidens of the imperial family were highly respected and well-trained in the art of embroidery and other domestic skills.2. Modern Comparison
In the workforce, the administrative assistants can be seen as the handmaidens of the executive team, responsible for managing schedules and memos.3. Literary Allegory
In Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel "The Handmaidens Tale", the handmaidens are a symbol of oppression and subjugation, forced into servitude and reproductive labor.4. Idiomatic Expression
To call someone a handmaiden is an idiomatic expression meaning to describe someone who is overly devoted to another person, often to the point of being subservient.5. Historical Legacy
The medieval tradition of illuminated manuscripts was largely the domain of handmaidens, who spent countless hours illustrating and decorating sacred texts.Note: The word "handmaidens" is often used metaphorically to describe individuals who are in a subordinate or supporting role, often in a literal or figurative sense.
"Handmaidens" Similar Words
Handlers
Handles
Handles are physical parts of an object, typically designed for grasping, lifting, or carrying it. They can be found on items such as tools, bags, appliances, and containers.
Handling
Handling refers to the act of controlling, managing, or dealing with something, often in a skilled or efficient manner. It can also imply a sense of delicacy or care, as in "handling a fragile object." In a more general sense, it can refer to the way in which someone or something is treated or managed, often with a focus on achieving or maintaining a specific outcome or goal.
Handloom
Handmaid
A handmaid is a female attendant or servant, especially in a wealthy family. In general, a handmaid refers to a young woman who serves in a social capacity, usually in a noble or wealthy household, often in a role that is subordinate to the mistress of the house. The term is often associated with a high social status, implying a level of prestige and privilege.
Handmaiden
A handmaiden is a female servant or attendant, especially one who tends to the personal needs of a person, often in a noble or aristocratic household. The term is often used to describe a lady-in-waiting or a personal assistant to a queen, princess, or other high-ranking woman, who has responsibilities such as helping with dressing, advising, and providing companionship. The term is often associated with a historical context, particularly in the Middle Ages or Renaissance era.
Handmaids
Handmaids refers to characters in a novel, "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985) by Margaret Atwood, who are forced into reproductive servitude as part of a totalitarian and patriarchal society. In this fictional world, handmaids are women who are still fertile and are paired with powerful men to bear children. They are required to wear distinctive clothing, including red robes and white bonnets, and their actions and behaviors are strictly controlled by the authorities. The term "handmaid" has also been adopted as a symbol of resistance against oppressive government control, particularly in relation to feminist movements and struggles for reproductive rights.
Handout
Handouts
Handover
The word "handover" refers to the act of transferring responsibility, authority, or control from one person, group, or entity to another. This can be a formal or informal process, and is often used in contexts such as business, politics, or military operations.
Handphone
A handphone, also known as a cellphone or mobile phone, is a portable phone that allows users to make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages, and access the internet and other digital services, all from a small, handheld device. It is a device that combines the functions of a phone, computer, and camera into one.
Handphones
Handphones refer to mobile phones or cell phones that are held in the hand to make and receive phone calls, send texts, and access the internet.
Handpicked
Selectively chosen or gathered, often with great care or attention to quality, usually implying a high level of expertise or discernment.
Handpiece
The word "handpiece" refers to a tool or device that is held in the hand, typically for performing a specific task or function. In dentistry, a handpiece is a device used by a dentist to perform drilling, preparation, or other procedures. In music, a handpiece is a term for the wooden or plastic part of a clarinet or other wind instrument that is held in the player's hands.