Chaperone
/ˌʃæpəˈroʊn/noun
A person who accompanies and supervises another, especially a young woman, in social situations.
Did you know?Chaperone comes from French chaperon, originally a hood or cape, and the social sense grew from the idea of someone who “covers” and protects reputations.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
cappa
“a hood or cape”
Old French
OF
chaperon
“a hood, cape, or protective covering for the head”
14th Century
French
chaperon
“a hood or cap, especially a decorative or protective one”
16th Century
French
chaperon
“a person who accompanies and supervises another”
17th Century
English
chaperone
“an escort or guardian, especially for a young woman”