Maidens assistant (4)

I believe the answer is:
aide
'assistant?' is the definition.
(aide is a kind of assistant)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for aide that I've seen before include "Adviser or assistant" , "Helper" , "a help" , "Leader's assistant" , "Confidential assistant or advisor" .)