wench

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a girl or young woman; now dated and often humorous, dismissive, or offensive

   The historical pageant portrayed villagers, merchants, and lively tavern wenches.

2. 2
   noun

   historically, a female servant or working-class young woman

   The household accounts recorded wages paid to each kitchen wench.

Simplified etymology

Wench is a shortened form of the obsolete wenchel, which could mean “child,” “servant,” or “prostitute.” Wenchel may be related to Old English wancol, “unsteady” or “inconstant.”

From Middle English wenche, a shortened form of wenchel ("girl, child"), from Old English wencel or wincel ("child, servant"). It once had neutral senses such as girl, sweetheart, or female servant, but many modern uses are historical, comic, or disparaging.

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External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary