maiden

maiden.

1. A young unmarried woman.

2. Scots law. An instrument used to behead criminals. • The Earl of Morton, who had introduced the instrument to Scotland, was the first to be executed by it, in 1581. It was the prototype of the guillotine. Hence, “to kiss the maiden was to be put to death.” H. Percy Smith, Glossary of Terms and Phrases 307 (1883).

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词条贡献者

资深译员Steven，毕业于美国一流的高级翻译学院，专注翻译各种与政府政策有关的法律文件。