also: めのこやつこ
noun
female slave
Archaic term for a woman held in bondage; historical usage only.
古代の文献には、婢として売られた女性の記述がある。
Ancient documents contain descriptions of women sold as female slaves.
noun
Only with reading ひ
Archaic term for a domestic female servant; reading restricted to ひ.
江戸時代の大奥では、婢が多くの雑務をこなしていた。
In the inner palace of the Edo period, female servants performed various chores.
Archaic compound spelling literally meaning 'girl child servant'; reading めのこやつこ.
The kanji 婢 is composed of 女 (woman) and 卑 (lowly), suggesting a woman of low status. The reading ひ is the on'yomi. The compound 女の子奴 is a native Japanese construction with the reading めのこやつこ, literally 'girl child servant'. Both forms are archaic.