maidism

• “But one can never reckon with real, bred-in-the bone old-maidism.”

  Chronicles of Avonlea

• “It's nothing but a chronic case of old-maidism," said father impatiently.”

  Chronicles of Avonlea

• “There was, indeed, a danger -- his seniors said so -- of his developing into a regular "Auntie Fuss" of an adjutant, and when an officer once takes to old-maidism there is more hope for the virgin of seventy than for him.”

  The Day's Work - Volume 1

• “Nothing but solitary old-maidism, unless two of you happen to be sisters, for who else will join her shame to yours?”

  The Christian A Story

• “It was considered as carrying old-maidism to an extreme length.”

  The Burial of the Guns

• “There was one thing about her which excited much talk; I suppose it was only a piece of old-maidism.”

  The Burial of the Guns

• “The state of old maidism was reached at a very early age in those early days; Higginson wrote of an "antient maid" of twenty-five years.”

  Customs and Fashions in Old New England

• “He supports her, and she has escaped the obloquy of old-maidism.”

  Not Pretty, but Precious

• “So she thrusts the burden of her sins upon other people's shoulders, and travels the first stage to captious and disappointed old-maidism.”

  Aurora Floyd. A Novel

• “Rise superior to all puerile fancies; bear nobly the odium of old maidism, if such be thy fate, and if, like Sir Walter Scott's lovely creation, Rebecca, you are separated by an impassable gulf from your heart's chosen, or have met and suffered by the false and treacherous, take not any chance Waverley who may cross your path.”

  The Wedding Guest

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