maiden speech

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. "Amid the maiden throng." --Addison. [1913 Webster]

Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ?— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.Never having been married; not having had sexual intercourse; virgin; -- said usually of the woman, but sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. "A surprising old maiden lady." --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]

3.Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. "Maiden flowers." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

4.Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. -- T. Warton. Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Maiden assize (Eng. Law), an assize which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of white gloves. --Smart.

Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her marriage.

Maiden pink. (Bot.) See under Pink.

Maiden plum (Bot.), a West Indian tree (Comocladia integrifolia) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree is glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain.

Maiden speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a new member in a public body.

Maiden tower, the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.

maiden voyage the first regular service voyage of a ship. [1913 Webster]