媵
escort bride; dowry maid; concubine
Meanings
3 senses · 6 examplesverb
to escort a bride to her wedding; to accompany as dowry
archaicRefers to the ancient practice of sending someone to accompany the bride to her new home, or the act of a feudal lord's daughter being accompanied by a niece or younger sister.
The Marquis of Qi agreed, sending his son Jie to escort the daughter of the State of Chen.
In ancient times, when feudal lords married off their daughters, they would often have nieces or younger sisters accompany them as dowry.
noun
dowry maid; female attendant sent with the bride
archaicRefers specifically to the woman (often a niece, younger sister, or maid) who accompanied the bride as part of her dowry in ancient Chinese marriage customs.
In ancient times, when feudal lords married off their daughters, they would use nieces or younger sisters as dowry maids.
There were numerous dowry attendants and countless jewels and treasures.
noun
concubine
archaicIn the context of ancient Chinese marriage systems, a concubine was often originally a dowry maid (sense 2) who was elevated to the status of secondary wife.
The concubine-and-dowry-maid system existed for a long time in ancient China.
If his concubine had a son, even though she was of low status, it must be recorded.