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

译员黎川，在一家顶尖澳洲律师事务所的上海办公室担任全职法律翻译，专注翻译各种与澳大利亚业务有关的法律文件。