Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A state of virginity.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun rare Virginity.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun archaic Virginity.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle French pucelage, from pucelle.

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Examples

  • I find the trial of the pucelage and virginity of women, which God ordained the Jews, is very fallible.

    Religio Medici 2007

  • Many beautiful girls were brought on board for sale by their mothers, who were very exorbitant in their demands, as nothing less than a broad axe would satisfy them; but after standing their market three days, _la pucelage_ fell to an old razor, a pair of scissors, or a very large nail.

    Voyage of H.M.S. Pandora Despatched to Arrest the Mutineers of the 'Bounty' in the South Seas, 1790-1791 Edward Edwards

  • Hereupon the fisherman called out, "O my son, up with thee and straightway take this Mermaid and marry her and abate her pucelage and be blessed with her and enjoy thy joy with her during all the days of thy life-tide: doubtless, O my child, thou art in all boon fortune, seeing that what good befel thee never betided any before thee nor will become the lot of one after thee."

    Arabian nights. English Anonymous 1855

  • Larrikin continued his tale saying to the King: -- And as I was drowned in slumber a dog-faced baboon came up to the daughter of my uncle and assaulted her and knew her carnally; then, having taken her pucelage he ran away, [FN#387] but I knew nothing thereof from being fast asleep.

    Arabian nights. English Anonymous 1855

  • After the third night the mother reported the case to her father who cried, "This night except he abate her pucelage I will slay him!"

    Arabian nights. English Anonymous 1855

  • And the while Yusuf quoth to himself "Would Heaven I wot how my sire will act in the business of the concubine whose pucelage I did away, and would Heaven I knew if he have ridden forth in search of me, or he have lost sight of me and never asked of me."

    Arabian nights. English Anonymous 1855

  • Thereupon he tied the marriage tie between the twain and the youth after wedding her went to her in procession and did away her pucelage, and lay the night with her.

    Arabian nights. English Anonymous 1855

  • French _pucelage_; virginity; maidenhead. 1724 reading

    The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume II Aphra Behn 1664

  • I find the trial of the pucelage and virginity of women, which God ordained the Jews, is very fallible.

    Religio Medici, Hydriotaphia, and the Letter to a Friend 1643

  • This is the man who had her pucelage in this manner: she was four years old, the ordeal caused her to fall ill, her mother implored this man to give aid, money.

    Yahoo! Answers: Latest Questions 2009

Comments

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  • The state of being a girl; maidenhood, virginity.

    May 12, 2008

  • I'm saving this one for an Unlikely Things that Rhyme with Mucilage list.

    May 2, 2009