ladies-in-waiting
UK[ˈleɪ.diz ɪn ˈweɪ.tɪŋ]US[ˈleɪ.diz ɪn ˈweɪ.t̬ɪŋ]
n
Women who attend a queen or princess as companions and assistants.
Etymology
The term is a compound formed from the plural of 'lady' and the phrase 'in waiting'. 'Lady' originates from Old English hlǣfdīge, meaning "loaf-kneader" or "mistress of a household," combining hlāf (loaf, bread) and dīge (kneader). 'Waiting' derives from Old North French waitier, meaning "to watch, guard." The phrase 'in waiting' historically designated a state of being in attendance or on duty. Thus, the compound 'ladies-in-waiting' literally denotes "women of high status who are in attendance," evolving from a domestic and guard-related etymology to specify a formal courtly role for female companions to royalty.
Analysis
This is a fixed, pluralized compound noun. It is not productively segmented into smaller, independent morphemes in modern English without losing its idiomatic meaning. It functions as a single lexical unit.
Examples
The queen was accompanied by her ladies-in-waiting during the state procession.
In historical dramas, ladies-in-waiting are often depicted as close confidantes of the royal figure.
The position of a lady-in-waiting was one of both privilege and significant responsibility.