abigail \ab"i*gail\, n. [The proper name used as an
   appellative.]
   A lady's waiting-maid. --Pepys.
   [1913 Webster]

         Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of
         night curls for sleeping in.             --Leslie.
   [1913 Webster]

Abigail
   father (i.e., "leader") of the dance, or "of joy." (1.) The
   sister of David, and wife of Jether an Ishmaelite (1 Chr.
   2:16,17). She was the mother of Amasa (2 Sam. 17:25).
   
     (2.) The wife of the churlish Nabal, who dwelt in the district
   of Carmel (1 Sam. 25:3). She showed great prudence and delicate
   management at a critical period of her husband's life. She was
   "a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance."
   After Nabal's death she became the wife of David (1 Sam.
   25:14-42), and was his companion in all his future fortunes (1
   Sam. 27:3; 30:5; 2 Sam. 2:2). By her David had a son called
   Chileab (2 Sam. 3:3), elsewhere called Daniel (1 Chr. 3:1).
   

Abigail, the father's joy