best maidn.
/ˌbɛs(t) ˈmeɪd/, U.S. /ˌbɛs(t) ˈmeɪd/, Scottish English /ˌbɛs(t) ˈmed/ Originally and chiefly Scottish (in later use also East African).
The (chief) bridesmaid at a wedding.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > wedding or nuptials > people connected with wedding > [noun] > attendant > bridesmaid
waiter1537
bridesmaid1552
bridesmaiden1634
bridewoman1649
best maid1766
maid of honour1895
bridesgirl1905
1766 J. Marshall Hist. Miss C. Cathcart & Miss F. Renton II. 208 Tomorrow l am to stand best maid. (So they call the bride's maid here [sc. Scotland].)
1806 Scots Mag. Nov. 828/2 The best maid was Katherine Ogie.
1857 R. Butler Jessie Cameron iii. 37 The first reel, as is always the case at a Highland wedding, was danced only by the bride and bridegroom, the best man and best maid.
1883 N.-Y. Times 31 Oct. 8/2 The best maid was Miss Sed. Mangam, sister of the bride.
1934 Scotsman 17 Apr. 7/4 The best maid was Miss Nora Glenny, sister of the bride.
1984 A. Odaga Shade Changes 13 I must admit they look dejected, sitting on that ‘high table’, all alone without the bride, the best maid, the groom and the best man.
2003 Afr. News (Nexis) 11 May She was dressed in a shimmering white bridal gown and in the company of the best maid, Ms Nancy Wettstein.
2008 A. Bews One Boy's Dinner Please xxv. 119 Her friend Myra..was eventually Roslyn's best maid at our wedding.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1766