Maidism

But one can never reckon with real, bred-in-the bone old-maidism. ❋ Lucy Maud (1912)

"It's nothing but a chronic case of old-maidism," said father impatiently. ❋ Lucy Maud (1912)

There was, indeed, a danger -- his seniors said so -- of his developing into a regular "Auntie Fuss" of an adjutant, and when an officer once takes to old-maidism there is more hope for the virgin of seventy than for him. ❋ Rudyard Kipling (1900)

Nothing but solitary old-maidism, unless two of you happen to be sisters, for who else will join her shame to yours? ❋ Hall Caine (1892)

It was considered as carrying old-maidism to an extreme length. ❋ Thomas Nelson Page (1887)

There was one thing about her which excited much talk; I suppose it was only a piece of old-maidism. ❋ Thomas Nelson Page (1887)

The state of old maidism was reached at a very early age in those early days; Higginson wrote of an "antient maid" of twenty-five years. ❋ Alice Morse Earle (1881)

He supports her, and she has escaped the obloquy of old-maidism. ❋ Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford (1878)

So she thrusts the burden of her sins upon other people's shoulders, and travels the first stage to captious and disappointed old-maidism. ❋ Mary Elizabeth (1863)

Rise superior to all puerile fancies; bear nobly the odium of old maidism, if such be thy fate, and if, like Sir Walter Scott's lovely creation, Rebecca, you are separated by an impassable gulf from your heart's chosen, or have met and suffered by the false and treacherous, take not any chance Waverley who may cross your path. ❋ Unknown (1847)

Now, nothing daunted, she insisted on John viewing the case from Zara’s standpoint: the very natural desire of an ageing woman for a home and a husband; the dreaded stigma of old-maidism; the weariness and monotony of going on teaching other people’s children year after year; the mortification of seeing younger women chosen over your head, and your salary steadily decreasing as you grew older. ❋ Unknown (2003)

Her husband adores her; I adore her; two cousins on the point of _old-maidism_ adore her -- she will always be adored, as fresh reasons for loving her continually arise. " ❋ Juanita Helm Floyd (N/A)

I implore you, for Duncan has promised to call at seven to go with me to the concert, and should you excite my admiration any farther for old maidism, I should surely refuse him admittance, put this same drab-trimmed cap, with its three bows to a side, on my own head, and before to-morrow be turned by some wizard power into old Aunt Isabel. " ❋ Unknown (1869)