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doncella

maiden

noun don-SEH-yah Rare
People & Society Professions

Origin: From Old Spanish donzella, from Vulgar Latin *domnicella (young noblewoman), diminutive of domina.

Also means

chambermaid

Usage Note

Doncella has two main senses: in historical or literary contexts it means a young unmarried woman or maiden; in domestic service contexts it means a lady's maid or chambermaid. The word has a decidedly literary or archaic flavour in modern speech; empleada del hogar is the neutral modern term for a domestic worker. Note the ll is pronounced like English 'y'.

Examples

"La doncella llevaba flores al castillo."

Natural Translation

The maiden was bringing flowers to the castle.

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