handmaid

[ hand-meyd or hand-meyd-n ]

/ ˈhændˌmeɪd or ˈhændˌmeɪd n /

something that is necessarily subservient or subordinate to another: Ceremony is but the handmaid of worship.

a female servant or attendant.

Origin of handmaid

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at hand, maid

Corporate America and its ideologues embraced government intervention as long as Washington served as its handmaiden.

The South Has Indeed Risen Again and It’s Called the Tea Party |Jack Schwartz |December 8, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
It was humiliating for the GOP majority to play the handmaiden to minority leader Nancy Pelosi.

Nancy Pelosi Talks About the Budget Vote, Obama’s Grit, Guns, and More |Eleanor Clift |January 11, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
One handmaiden, however, cannot wait to find a suitable male and finds an empty stairwell to take matters into her own hands.

The 'Reign' Steamy Stairwell Shocker & TV’s 13 Dirtiest Sex Scenes (VIDEO) |Kevin Fallon |October 11, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
In the field of politics, fear has been the handmaiden of power since the beginning of time.

A Week on the Brink |Louise Roug Bokkenheuser |May 8, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

Miss Sally directed a critical glance at her handmaiden's red-coifed head.

Sally Dows and Other Stories |Bret Harte
"I will sleep awhile," she said to her handmaiden, and serenely glided into slumberland.

Prisoners of Hope |Mary Johnston
Do not question providence, and I am her handmaiden just now.

The Goose Girl |Harold MacGrath
Then all being well content, each of them gave a sol to their handmaiden.

Droll Stories, Complete |Honore de Balzac
God was remembering His handmaiden; He had not shut up His tender mercies.

Judges and Ruth |Robert A. Watson

handmaiden

/ (ˈhændˌmeɪdən) /

a person or thing that serves a useful but subordinate purpose logic is the handmaid of philosophy

archaic a female servant or attendant