damsel

UK: /ˈdæmz^əl/ US: /ˈdæmzəl/ ,(dam′zəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dam•sel /ˈdæmzəl/   n. [countable]

1. a maiden, originally one of noble birth:
   rescuing a damsel in distress.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dam•sel  (dam′zəl), n. [Literary.]

1. a young woman or girl;
   a maiden, originally one of gentle or noble birth.

• Vulgar Latin *dominicella, equivalent. to Latin domin(a) lady (see dame) + -i- -i- + -cella feminine diminutive suffix
• Anglo-French (Old French damoisele)
• Middle English damisel 1150–1200

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

damsel / ˈdæmz^əl/ noun

1. a young unmarried woman; maiden

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French damoisele, from Vulgar Latin domnicella (unattested) young lady, from Latin domina mistress; see dame