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Spinster vs Damsel - What's the difference?

spinster | damsel |

As nouns the difference between spinster and damsel

is that spinster is a woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions while damsel is a young woman (of noble birth).

spinster

Noun

(en noun)
  • A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions.
  • * Coke
  • If a gentlewoman be termed a spinster , she may abate the writ.
  • One who spins (puts a spin on) a political media story so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance; a spin doctor, spin merchant or spin master.
  • (obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread.
  • * ~1601 , William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night , act II, scene IV:
  • The spinsters and the knitters in the sun.
  • (obsolete) A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.
  • (rare) A spider; an insect (such as a silkworm) which spins thread.
  • (Webster 1913)

    Synonyms

    * old maid

    See also

    * bachelor * widow * divorcee ----

    damsel

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A young woman (of noble birth).
  • A girl; a maiden (without sexual experience).
  • A young woman who is not married.
  • Derived terms

    * damsel in distress * damselfish * damselfly

    Anagrams

    *