chambermaid
(ˈtʃeɪmbəmeɪd)
1. A female servant in a house or inn, who attends to the bedrooms. (In Theatrical phrase, an actress of a recognised line of pert comedy parts, including chambermaids, waitresses, etc.)
| 1587 Golding De Mornay xxxiv. 546 [Peter] he whom the Chambermaid had made amazed. a 1641 Suckling Goblins iii. (1646) 31 Camber maides, and country wenches About thirty. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1852) II. 558 A ballad tune sung by the coarse-piped chamber maid. 1849 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 70 The chamber-maid came to say a gentleman was asking for me. 1850 Lyell 2nd Visit U.S. II. 216 She liked much to act chambermaid, as then she was not expected to learn her part so accurately. 1885 W. C. Day Behind Footlights 120 We have the..singing chambermaid, to whose fascination, loquacity and chronic curiosity..the audience is indebted for no inconsiderable portion of its enjoyment. |
† 2. A lady's maid. Obs.
| 1590 Greene Neuer too late (1600) 43 He vnderstood by her chambermaid y{supt} she was at home. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. i. iii. 55 My Neeces Chamber-maid. 1719 Swift To Yng. Clergym. Wks. 1755 II. ii. 4 He used to consult one of his lady's chambermaids. |