{ } n. A maid that waits at hand; a female servant or attendant. [ wns=2 ] [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Something or someone serving in a subordinate position; as, theology should be the handmaiden of ethics. [ wns=1 ] Syn. -- handmaid, servant. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
(n) in a subordinate position, Syn.handmaiden, servant, Example: theology should be the handmaiden of ethics; the state cannot be a servant of the church