virginity

Definition

The state or characteristic of being a virgin.

Etymology

From Middle English virginite, from Old French virginite, from Latin virginitas. Equivalent to virgin + -ity. Displaced native Old English mæġeþhād (compare modern English maidhood), originally meaning “girlhood.”

Example Sentences

• "to lose one's virginity"
• "She had a lot of dark hair pinned untidily back from a small well-formed brow, and her tilted nose and large embarrassed eyes had survived intact from the mistrusts and agitations of a schoolgirl, which maturity had striven to defeat by lengthening her chin and tightening her lips, while giving her skin the faintly furred matt surface of pickled virginity."