old-maidhood

Five years older than the oldest of the other New Bedford girls and desperate for a man, Biddy had the coy predatoriness of one already treading the perilous line of old-maidhood that would drive away even the slightest expression of masculine interest.

Ishmael Barbara Hambly 2000

Five years older than the oldest of the other New Bedford girls and desperate for a man, Biddy had the coy predatoriness of one already treading the perilous line of old-maidhood that would drive away even the slightest expression of masculine interest.

Ishmael Barbara Hambly 2000

It was clear enough that Alan didn't like her either, but because she was Candi's friend he'd felt obligated to be nice to her, nice to poor Bea, who was heading toward old-maidhood, or whatever they called it now-she'd seen it in his stupid eyes.

The Cardinal of the Kremlin Clancy, Tom, 1947- 1988

But they were mostly letters from cranks ... or from girls very, very young and sentimental, or on the verge of old-maidhood, who were casting about for some escape from the narrow daily life that environed them ....

Tramping on Life Kemp, Harry, 1883-1960 1922

But they were mostly letters from cranks ... or from girls very, very young and sentimental, or on the verge of old-maidhood, who were casting about for some escape from the narrow daily life that environed them ....

Tramping on Life An Autobiographical Narrative Harry Kemp 1921

All through the kaleidoscopic transformation-scenes of the "season", through which she moved magnificently, old-maidhood notwithstanding, she was unconsciously seeking him.

Sisters Ada Cambridge 1885

I am a woman, and as I do not think that I shall ever marry, I refuse to be chaperoned all the way to old-maidhood.

Taquisara 1881

No, I am talking of the girl you loved who was not only really grown up and too old for you, but grown up almost into old-maidhood, and too old perhaps for anyone.

Jersey Street and Jersey Lane Urban and Suburban Sketches Kenneth [Illustrator] Frazier 1875

(I didn't let my eyes twinkle, or my face do that weird thing, "break into a smile"; but Jack Morrison told me that Miss MacDonald had "set her cap at the great Somerled," and torn it off and stamped on it in rage because -- this is Jack's slang -- Sir S. "wasn't taking any.") -- "Having failed to bring off a match or two, has settled down into old-maidhood.

The Heather-Moon 1889