Definition of "maidism" []

• A disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments (noun)

WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.

• "But one can never reckon with real, bred-in-the bone old-maidism."
• ""It's nothing but a chronic case of old-maidism," said father impatiently."
• "There was, indeed, a danger -- his seniors said so -- of his developing into a regular "Auntie Fuss" of an adjutant, and when an officer once takes to old-maidism there is more hope for the virgin of seventy than for him."