Chaperon
/ˈʃæpəˌroʊn/noun
A chaperon is a person who accompanies and supervises others, especially young people, in public.
Did you know?Its earliest sense in French was a hood or cowl, and only later did it shift to a person who “covers” or guards someone’s reputation and behavior.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
cappa
“a hood or cape”
Old French
OF
chaperon
“a hood, cowl, or cap covering the head”
14th Century
English
chaperon
“a hood or head covering”
16th Century
English
chaperon
“a protector or guardian, especially one who escorts a woman in public”
Modern English
English
chaperone
“a person who supervises or accompanies others”