What is maiden?

Famous quotes containing the word maiden:

“I am more interested in the rosy cheek than I am to know what particular diet the maiden is fed on.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

“This is the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn”
—Mother Goose (fl. 17th–18th century. The House That Jack Built (l. 22–23)

“Ma’am! What am I your maiden aunt? Call me Mrs. Aragon. Call me Belle. Call me madame if you’re tired of living, but don’t call me ma’am.”
—Frank S. Nugent (1908–1965)