1. A female servant in a house or inn, who attends to the bedrooms. (In Theatrical phrase, an actress of a recognised line of pert comedy parts, including chambermaids, waitresses, etc.)
1587. Golding, De Mornay, xxxiv. 546. [Peter] he whom the Chambermaid had made amazed.
a. 1641. Suckling, Goblins, III. (1646), 30. Camber maides, and Country wenches, About thirty.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1852), II. 558. A ballad tune sung by the coarse-piped chamber maid.
1849. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 70. The chamber-maid came to say a gentleman was asking for me.
1850. Lyell, 2nd Visit U.S., II. 216. She liked much to act chambermaid, as then she was not expected to learn her part so accurately.
1885. W. C. Day, Behind Footlights, 120. We have the … singing chambermaid, to whose fascination, loquacity and chronic curiosity … the audience is indebted for no inconsiderable portion of its enjoyment.
† 2. A lady’s maid. Obs.
1590. Greene, Neuer too late (1600), 43. He vnderstood by her chambermaid yt she was at home.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., I. iii. 55. My Neeces Chamber-maid.
1719. Swift, To Yng. Clergym., Wks. 1755, II. II. 4. He used to consult one of his lady’s chambermaids.
