Support from a maiden (3)
I believe the answer is:
aid
'support' is the definition.
(aiding is a kind of supporting)
'from a maiden' is the wordplay.
'from' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'AID' is hidden in the letters of 'maiden'.
(Other definitions for aid that I've seen before include "Care, assistance" , "A hand" , "Help or support" , "welfare" , "technique that can produce pregnancy" .)