I. noun
or chap·er·one ˈshapəˌrōn
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from chape cape — more at chape
1. chaperon : a round stuffed covering for the head with folds of cloth falling from the crown that was especially popular in the 15th century
2.
[French, literally, hood]
a. : a person (as a matron) who accompanies one or more young unmarried women in public or in mixed company for propriety and especially formerly as a protector
b. : an older person who accompanies young people especially in attendance at a dance, party, or other social gathering to ensure proper behavior
their English teacher who accompanied them as chaperon — Christopher Morley
c. : one delegated to ensure proper behavior
in his guarded cell, was allowed to see no visitors … without a Navy chaperon present — Drew Pearson
II. verb
or chaperone “
( chaperoned ; chaperoned ; chaperoning ; chaperons or chaperones )
transitive verb
1. : to attend upon : escort , guide
chaperon a sightseer around the park
personally chaperoning a confidential communication to the president's desk
2.
a. : to act as chaperon to or for
chaperon a college dance
chaperon a group of young ladies on tour
b. : to take care of : supervise
a job chaperoning cattle to South Africa — J.T.Winterich
a … salesgirl … should chaperon the cart … and be responsible for restocking it daily — Lingerie Merchandising
intransitive verb
: to act as a chaperon
part of the woman's duty was to chaperon at all sorority dances