chaperon

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: chap=er=on

CIDE DICTIONARY

chaperon, n. [F. chaperon. See Chape, Cape, Cap.].

•  A hood; especially, an ornamental or an official hood.  [1913 Webster]

  "His head and face covered with a chaperon, out of which there are but two holes to look through."  [1913 Webster]
•  A device placed on the foreheads of horses which draw the hearse in pompous funerals.  [1913 Webster]
•  A matron who accompanies a young lady in public, for propriety, or as a guide and protector.  [1913 Webster]

chaperon, v. t. [Cf. F. chaperonner, fr. chaperon.].

 To attend in public places as a guide and protector; to matronize.  [1913 Webster]
"Fortunately Lady Bell Finley, whom I had promised to chaperon, sent to excuse herself."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

chaperon, n. & v. (also chaperone)
--n.
1 a person, esp. an older woman, who ensures propriety by accompanying a young unmarried woman on social occasions.
2 a person who takes charge of esp. young people in public.
--v.tr. act as a chaperon to.

Derivative

chaperonage n.

Etymology

F, = hood, chaperon, dimin. of chape cope, formed as CAP

THESAURUS

chaperon

abigail, amah, attend, attend to, au pair girl, ayah, baby-sit, bear, betweenmaid, biddy, bodyguard, boss, bring, care for, carry, cavalier, chambermaid, cherish, companion, conduct, conductor, conserve, consort with, convoy, cook, duenna, escort, esquire, fellow traveler, femme de chambre, fille de chambre, foster, gentlewoman, girl, governess, guard, guide, handmaid, handmaiden, hired girl, housemaid, keep watch over, kitchenmaid, lady-help, lady-in-waiting, lead, live-in maid, live-out maid, look after, look out for, look to, maid, maidservant, marshal, matronize, mind, minister to, mother, nurse, nursemaid, nurture, overlook, oversee, parlormaid, preserve, protege, provide for, quarterback, ride herd on, safe-conduct, scullery maid, see after, see to, servant girl, servitress, shepherd, soubrette, squire, superintend, supervise, support, survey, swain, take care of, take charge of, take out, tend, tweeny, upstairs maid, usher, wait on, waiting maid, watch, watch out for, watch over, wench

ROGET THESAURUS

chaperon

Safety

N safety, security, surety, impregnability, invulnerability, invulnerableness, danger past, danger over, storm blown over, coast clear, escape, means of escape, blow valve, safety valve, release valve, sniffing valve, safeguard, palladium, guardianship, wardship, wardenship, tutelage, custody, safekeeping, preservation, protection, auspices, safe-conduct, escort, convoy, guard, shield, guardian angel, tutelary god, tutelary deity, tutelary saint, genius loci, protector, guardian, warden, warder, preserver, custodian, duenna, chaperon, third person, watchdog, bandog, Cerberus, watchman, patrolman, policeman, cop, dick, fuzz, smokey, peeler, zarp, sentinel, sentry, scout, garrison, guardship, refuge &c, anchor, precaution, quarantine, cordon sanitaire, confidence, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter, Adj, safe, secure, sure, in safety, in security, on the safe side, under the shield of, under the shade of, under the wing of, under the shadow of one's wing, under cover, under lock and key, out of danger, out of the woods, out of the meshes, out of harm's way, unharmed, unscathed, on sure ground, at anchor, high and dry, above water, unthreatened, unmolested, protected, cavendo tutus, panoplied, snug, seaworthy, weatherproof, waterproof, fireproof, defensible, tenable, proof against, invulnerable, unassailable, unattackable, impenetrable, impregnable, imperdible, inexpugnable, Achillean, safe and sound, scathless, unhazarded, not dangerous, unthreatening, harmless, friendly (cooperative), protecting, protective, guardian, tutelary, preservative, trustworthy, ex abundanti cautela, with impunity, all's well, salva res est, suave mari magno, a couvert, e terra alterius spectare laborem, Dieu vous garde.

Care

VB be careful, reck, take care, pay attention to, take care of, look to, look after, see to, see after, keep an eye on, keep a sharp eye on, chaperon, matronize, play gooseberry, keep watch, keep watch and ward, mount guard, set watch, watch, keep in sight, keep in view, mind, mind one's business, look sharp, look about one, look with one's own eyes, keep a good lookout, keep a sharp lookout, have all one's wits about one, have all one's eyes about one, watch for, keep one's eyes open, have the eyes open, sleep with one's eye open.