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parlormaid

parlormaid

1 9.9
A woman who works in a home cleaning and serving guests in the front rooms
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑːrlərˌmeɪd/
  • Archaic
translation icon : sirvienta
  • The door was opened to them by a girl of about sixteen, who was pretty in a fashion far more colorful than that of any parlormaid Charlotte had encountered before.

Examples

  • She was about to help herself to another cake when the parlormaid returned and announced Sir Garnet Royce.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The door opened and a parlormaid in black appeared, too well trained to show her surprise.

  • The door opened and a parlormaid in black appeared, too well trained to show her surprise.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Oh, this is Joan, sir, the new under house parlormaid.

  • A gateleg table was set for three, and the parlormaid waited to serve the soup.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • It was well after four when the parlormaid knocked and announced that Mr. Barclay Hamilton had called.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Vespasia was out when Charlotte arrived at her house, but the parlormaid informed her she would be back in no more than half an hour, and if Charlotte cared to wait, she could take tea in the withdrawing room.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The parlormaid who answered his knock wore black crepe in her hair instead of the crisp white cap she would normally have had, and no white apron.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • But when he arrived in Curzon Street at Judge Oswyn's house, he was informed by the parlormaid who answered the door that the judge was traveling on business and was not expected home until the following week, and Mrs. Oswyn was calling upon acquaintances.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • A gateleg table was set for three, and the parlormaid waited to serve the soup.

Synonyms

servant
vsparlormaid
422 1.0

A person who works in someone's home doing jobs like cooking and cleaning

is narrower, concentrating on parlor duties and serving guests at the door
maid
vsparlormaid
264 1.0

A woman paid to clean and cook in another person's home

focuses instead on front-room presentation and serving duties rather than all chores
cleaning lady
vsparlormaid
  • Informal
27 1.0

A woman who cleans houses or offices for pay

is less about cleaning and more about serving and parlor management
domestic
vsparlormaid
  • UK
14 5.8

A person who works in a home doing cleaning and cooking

is focused more narrowly on parlor presentation and serving guests
handmaid
vsparlormaid
  • Archaic
12 8.2

A woman who serves a lady and helps with household tasks

is instead centered on public room care and serving at table and door
handmaiden
vsparlormaid
  • Archaic
8 8.0

A woman who helps and cares for another person in a household

is more specialized for parlor upkeep, serving meals, and answering visitors
housemaid
vsparlormaid
8 2.4

A woman paid to clean and do other jobs in a home

is more about hosting and table service than routine cleaning work
servant girl
vsparlormaid
  • Archaic
7 3.5

A young woman who works in a house to help with chores

is more specifically assigned to parlor hosting, table service, and answering door
cleaning woman
vsparlormaid
6 1.3

A woman who is paid to clean houses or offices regularly

is centered on greeting and serving guests and caring for the parlor
maidservant
vsparlormaid
  • Archaic
3 7.1

A woman who works in a home doing cleaning and cooking

focuses instead on front-room care, table service, and answering the door
serving girl
vsparlormaid
  • Archaic
1 5.1

A girl or young woman who works in a home doing chores

focuses more on parlor hosting and greeting visitors than broad household work
house servant
vsparlormaid
1 2.3

A person who works in a home doing cleaning, cooking and other daily tasks

specializes in parlor care and guest-facing duties rather than general tasks
domestic help
vsparlormaid
1 2.6

A person paid to clean and cook in a home

is more narrowly concerned with front-room service and answering the door
houseworker
vsparlormaid
2.5

A person who cleans, cooks, or does other work in a home

is instead a specialist role for parlor care and guest service tasks

Surface Forms

parlormaid singular
parlormaids plural

Etymology

Parlormaid comes from the parts parlor and maid. A parlor was the front room for guests ('room for guests') and maid means a female servant ('female servant'), so a parlormaid is a woman who cares for that front room and serves or greets visitors.