内ない侍し

noun

lady-in-waiting; maid of honor

Historical term for a female attendant serving in the imperial court of Japan, especially during the Heian period. The reading ないじ is an older, now obsolete pronunciation.

• 清せい少しょう納な言ごんは一いち条じょう天皇てんのうの后きさきに内ない侍しとして仕つかえた。

  Sei Shōnagon served as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Teishi.

• 内ない侍しは宮きゅう中ちゅうで重じゅう要ような役やく割わりを果はたしていた。

  Ladies-in-waiting played an important role in the imperial court.