Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: dameisele, from Latin domina 'lady of high rank'

damsel

 noun
     
dam‧sel [countable] old use
1 a young woman who is not married
2

damsel in distress

a young woman who needs help or protection - used humorously
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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