handmaiden

hand·maid  (hndmd) also hand·maid·en (-mdn)

n.

1. A woman attendant or servant.

2. often handmaiden Something that accompanies or is attendant on another: "the traditional notion that government was the handmaiden of business" (Doris Kearns Goodwin).

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handmaiden [ˈhændˌmeɪd^ən], handmaid

n

1. a person or thing that serves a useful but subordinate purpose logic is the handmaid of philosophy

2. Archaic a female servant or attendant

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	handmaiden - in a subordinate position; "theology should be the handmaiden of ethics"; "the state cannot be a servant of the church" handmaid, servant subordinateness, subsidiarity - secondary importance
	2.	handmaiden - a personal maid or female attendant handmaid housemaid, maid, maidservant, amah - a female domestic