( BrE also chap·eron ) / ˈʃæpərəʊn; NAmE -oʊn/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
(in the past) an older woman who, on social occasions, took care of a young woman who was not married
2.
a person who takes care of children in public, especially when they are working, for example as actors
3.
( NAmE ) a person, such as a parent or a teacher, who goes with a group of young people on a trip or to a dance to encourage good behaviour
■ verb
[ vn ] to act as a chaperone for sb, especially a woman
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting a hood or cap, regarded as giving protection): from French , feminine of chaperon hood, diminutive of chape , from late Latin cappa cap. The current sense dates from the early 18th cent.