1. A lady's maid or female personal attendant.
Usage: archaic; often capitalized when used as a character type in literature

Examples

• In the play, Abigail served as the lady's maid and confidante.
• The wealthy household employed an abigail to attend to the mistress's needs.
• Historical novels often feature an abigail as a supporting character.
• She worked as an abigail in a grand estate during the 18th century.