[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

handmaid \hand"maid`\ ha^nd"m=ad`, handmaiden
\hand"maid`en\ ha^nd"m=ad`'n, n.
   a maid that waits at hand; a female servant or attendant.
   wordnet sense 2
   1913 webster

   2. something or someone serving in a subordinate position;
      as, theology should be the handmaiden of ethics. wordnet
      sense 1

   syn: handmaid, servant.
        wordnet 1.5

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

handmaiden
     n 1: in a subordinate position; "theology should be the
          handmaiden of ethics"; "the state cannot be a servant of
          the church" syn: handmaid, servant
     2: a personal maid or female attendant syn: handmaid
see also:
handmaid servant 

Handmaiden >> H Words
Handmaiden, definition of term: Handmaiden
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