chaperons

Noun

chaperon (plural chaperons)

1. An adult who accompanies or supervises one or more young, unmarried men or women during social occasions, usually with the specific intent of preventing some types of social or sexual interactions or illegal behavior.
   • "I am, as it were," she concluded, "the chaperon of my young cousin, Lucy, and it would be a serious thing if I put her under an obligation to people of whom we know nothing. His manner was somewhat unfortunate. I hope I acted for the best."1908, E. M. Forster, “I”, in A Room with a View
2. A type of hood, often ornamental or official, with an attached cape and a tail, later worn as a hat with the face hole put over the top of the head instead.
   • His head and face cover'd with a chaperon, out of which there are but two holes to look through.1655, James Howell, “To the Right Honourable the Lord Mohun”, in Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ. Familiar Letters Domestic and Forren. […], 3rd edition, volume (please specify the page), London: […] Humphrey...
3. A device placed on the foreheads of horses which draw the hearse in pompous funerals.

See all 5 meanings of chaperon