hoyden

English

Etymology

Probably from Middle Dutch heiden, from Germanic heidano ‘heathen, gypsy’.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhɔɪdən/
• Rhymes: -ɔɪdən

Noun

hoyden (plural hoydens)

1. (archaic) A rude, uncultured or rowdy girl or woman.
   • 1897, Henry James, What Maisie Knew:

     her ladyship burst suddenly into the schoolroom to introduce Mr. Perriam, who, as she announced from the doorway to Maisie, wouldn't believe his ears that one had a great hoyden of a daughter.

   • 1985, John Fowles, A Maggot:

     Not all ladies in my profession are as that shameless hoyden, Mrs Charke, that has brought such distress through her malicious conduct and ill repute upon her worthy father, Mr Cibber; far from it, sir.

   • 1997, Andrew Miller, Ingenious Pain:

     Tabitha is lighting the candles in the sconces. A great, strong, heavy girl, a hoyden, not pretty, her face distinguished only by youth, by health.

Adjective

hoyden (comparative more hoyden, superlative most hoyden)

1. Like a hoyden: high-spirited and boisterous; saucy, tomboyish.

Anagrams

• dhoney