What does the word damsel mean?

Usage examples for damsel

  1. " Thou needest not strive so hard, Lord," said the damsel, " for whoever may be able to pull it forth shall do so very easily." – The Legends Of King Arthur And His Knights by James Knowles
  2. And thou, fair damsel, here is one whom we could scarce hold back from rushing with single hand to deliver his betrothed. – More Bywords by Charlotte M. Yonge