'Maiden speech' definitions:

Definition of 'Maiden speech'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. "Maiden flowers." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. -- T. Warton. Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 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.
  • maiden voyage the first regular service voyage of a ship. [1913 Webster]