single word requests - What is the male equivalent of "damsel"?


Is there a male equivalent of "damsel" ?



damsel (dam·sel)
Pronunciation: /ˈdamzəl/


noun archaic or literary
   a young unmarried woman.



(from OxfordDictionaries.com)



Answer



I think the male counterpart would be bachelor. The Online Etymology Dictionary notes that the "Meaning evolved from "knight in training" to "young unmarried man" (early 14c.)"


Note that in modern English the word bachelor can still refer to an unmarried man (although not necessarily a young one).


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