dam ‧ sel /ˈdæmz ə l/ BrE AmE noun [countable] old use
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: dameisele , from Latin domina 'lady of high rank' ]
1 . damsel in distress a young woman who needs help or protection – used humorously
2 . a young woman who is not married, especially a pretty young woman in an old story