chaperon: [14] A chaperon was originally a ‘hood’. The word comes from Old French chaperon, a derivative of chape, whose variant cape was the source of English cape, and goes back ultimately to late Latin cappa ‘hood, cloak’. The word’s modern sense, ‘companion safeguarding propriety’, which first appears in English in the 18th century, arose from the general notion of a ‘hood’ as something that gives protection. => cape
chaperon (n.)
1720, "woman accompanying a younger, unmarried lady in public," from French chaperon "protector," especially "female companion to a young woman," earlier "head covering, hood" (c. 1400), from Old French chaperon "hood, cowl" (12c.), diminutive of chape "cape" (see cap (n.)). "... English writers often erroneously spell it chaperone, app. under the supposition that it requires a fem. termination" [OED]. The notion is of "covering" the socially vulnerable one.
"May I ask what is a chaperon?"
"A married lady; without whom no unmarried one can be seen in public. If the damsel be five and forty, she cannot appear without the matron; and if the matron be fifteen, it will do."
[Catharine Hutton, "The Welsh Mountaineer," London, 1817]
The word had been used in Middle English in the literal sense "hooded cloak."
chaperon (v.)
"act as a chaperon," 1792, also chaperone, from chaperon (n.), or from French chaperonner, from chaperon (n.). Related: Chaperoned; chaperoning.
双语例句
1. In Spain a young lady of good family does not travel without a chaperon.
在西班牙,大家闺秀出门旅行总带一个女监护人.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. What kind of chaperon are you, sitting in the kitchen?
你个女看护怎么当的哦就管自己坐在厨房?
来自电影对白
3. Campers should not be related to the chaperon or liaison officer.
营员与领队老师或联络官员无亲属关系.
来自互联网
4. Teachers often chaperon their classes on field trips.
在野外郊游时老师常看护着班上的学生.
来自互联网
5. The young girl would go nowhere without chaperon.
