Abigail


a lady’s maid.
the wife of Nabal and later of David. I Sam. 25.
a female given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “joy of the father.”.
Contemporary Examples

Along with abigail Beckel, in 2006 Rooney founded Rose Metal Press, a company dedicated to publishing hybrid genres.
Live Nude Girl Bares All Lizzie Stark February 19, 2009

abigail Haglage rounds up what we know so far about the honorable Charles Ramsey.
Video Star of the Day: Charles Ramsey, Cleveland’s Hero Abby Haglage May 6, 2013

Markus Klinko and Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri tell abigail Pesta their tale.
Shooting the Stars With Fashion Photographers Markus and Indrani Abigail Pesta November 24, 2012

abigail Pogrebin is the author of Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish.
My Twin and Me Abigail Pogrebin October 29, 2009

But abigail Pogrebin, Gary Ginsberg and Michael Lynton will tell you anyway.
America’s Top 50 Rabbis for 2012 Abigail Pogrebin April 1, 2012

Historical Examples

abigail properly resolved to defer any conversation with Nabal till the morning, when she disclosed the whole affair.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I Francis Augustus Cox

Similarly, she indulged a mettlesome fancy for referring to her hostess as “dear abigail.”
Nobody Louis Joseph Vance

The abigail obeyed the orders, and the young Countess of Erpingham was alone.
Godolphin, Complete Edward Bulwer-Lytton

abigail, to save her husband and his property, hastens to the foot of the hill.
The Wedding Ring T. De Witt Talmage

But both he and abigail were unexpectedly interrupted in their project.
Hildebrand Anonymous

noun
(Old Testament) the woman who brought provisions to David and his followers and subsequently became his wife (I Samuel 25:1–42)

fem. proper name, in Old Testament, Abigail the Carmelitess, a wife of David, from Hebrew Abhigayil, literally “my father is rejoicing,” from abh “father” + gil “to rejoice.” Used in general sense of “lady’s maid” (1660s) from character of that name in Beaumont & Fletcher’s “The Scornful Lady.” The waiting maid association perhaps begins with I Sam. xxv, where David’s wife often calls herself a “handmaid.” Her male counterpart was Andrew.

father (i.e., “leader”) of the dance, or “of joy.” (1.) The sister of David, and wife of Jether an Ishmaelite (1 Chr. 2:16,17). She was the mother of Amasa (2 Sam. 17:25). (2.) The wife of the churlish Nabal, who dwelt in the district of Carmel (1 Sam. 25:3). She showed great prudence and delicate management at a critical period of her husband’s life. She was “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.” After Nabal’s death she became the wife of David (1 Sam. 25:14-42), and was his companion in all his future fortunes (1 Sam. 27:3; 30:5; 2 Sam. 2:2). By her David had a son called Chileab (2 Sam. 3:3), elsewhere called Daniel (1 Chr. 3:1).

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  • Abihu

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  • Abijah

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