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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Malkin
Mal"kin\, n. [Dim. of Maud, the proper name. Cf. Grimalkin.] [Written also maukin.]1. Originally, a kitchenmaid; a slattern. --Chaucer. 2. A mop made of clouts, used by the kitchen servant. 3. A scarecrow. [Prov. Eng.] 4. (Mil.) A mop or sponge attached to a jointed staff for swabbing out a cannon.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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malkin
"a slattern, woman of the lower classes," c.1275, from fem. proper name Malkyn, a dim. of Mault "Maud" (see Matilda). Also attested from c.1207 as the proper name of a female specter. Sense of "untidy woman" led to meaning "mop, bundle of rags on a stick" (used to clean ovens, artillery pieces, etc.), c.1400. Attested as the name of a cat since 1673; used in Scotland and northern England as the name of a hare (1724).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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