| 释义 |
bridesmaid|ˈbraɪdzmeɪd|
Also 6–9 bridemaid.
[The earlier form was bridemaid, as in brideman and the other compounds of bride- in sense of ‘bridal, wedding’; the 19th c. bridesmaid is due to the same perverted analysis, which has changed brideman into groomsman.]
A young unmarried woman performing various ceremonial duties at a wedding; in modern times the bridesmaids merely accompany or form the train of the bride.
(α) Form bridemaid.
1552Huloet, Bryde mayde, pronuba. 1621Quarles Argalus & P. (1678) 55 The Bride shall sit; Despair and Grief shall stand Like heartless Bride-maids upon either hand. 1747Hervey Medit. & Contempl. (1818) 22 The bride⁓maids, girded with gladness, had prepared the marriage-bed; had decked it with the richest covers, and dressed it in pillows of down. 1798Coleridge Anc. Mar. vii. xviii, But in the Garden bower the Bride And Bride-maids singing are. a1847Mrs. Sherwood Lady of Manor IV. xxiv. 147 Letitia, who had been my bridemaid. 1851Hawthorne Twice-told T. (1883) 33 The widow between her fair young bridemaids.
(β) bridesmaid. (At first colloq. or epistolary.)
1794Ld. Auckland Corr. (1862) III. 256 It is proposed to one of your sisters to be bridesmaid at the royal marriage. 1836Dickens Sk. Boz, Characters viii. 144 The bridesmaids could sit in the front parlour and receive the company. 1840Ann. Reg. 24 The royal bridesmaids are each to have a brooch. 1884Pall Mall G. 13 Feb. 8/2 The bridesmaids..wore dresses of cream soie épinglé and plush.
Hence ˈbridemaidship, the position or office of a bridesmaid; ˈbridesmaiding vbl. n., acting as bridesmaid.
1858Trollope Dr. Thorne iv, I won't be Augusta's bridesmaid; I'll bide my time for bridesmaiding. 1864Chamb. Jrnl. 8 Oct. 642 It's your first experience of bridemaidship, and you look very nice. |