'He tried the stables for 133 horses, the kennels for 144 hounds, the attics for 144 abigails or footmen.'
'Lady Protheroe sent her abigail ahead and took Croft's arm.'
((n.) A lady's waiting-maid.)
Origin:
Mid 17th century: from the name of a character in The Scornful Lady by Beaumont and Fletcher, possibly in allusion to 1 Sam. 25: 23–24: ‘And when Abigail saw David, she … fell at his feet, and said, “… hear the words of thine handmaid”.’.