Maiden - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition maiden

Definition :

Maiden, A young unmarried woman. 2. (Scots Law) An instrument used to behead criminals. It was the proto type of the guillotine. Hence, 'to kiss the maiden was to be put to death.' H. Percy Smith, Glossary of Terms and Phrases 307 (1883), Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 963.

It is an instrument formerly used in Scotland for beheading criminals. It consisted of a broad piece of iron about a foot square, very sharp in the lower part, and loaded above with lead. At the time of execution it was pulled up to the top of a frame about eight feet high, with a grove on each side for it to slide in. the prisoner'' neck being fastened to a bar underneath, and the sign being given, the maiden was let and the sign being given, the maiden was let loose, and the head served from the body. The prototype of the guillotine.