chaperonage
Definition
- Noun:
- The act or state of being accompanied by a chaperone: "chaperonage" refers to the supervision or protection provided by a chaperone, especially for young unmarried women in social settings, to ensure propriety and safety.
- The role or function of a chaperone: It can also denote the practice or system of having a chaperone present during social activities.
Usage Examples
- (The practice of being accompanied by a chaperone for protection and propriety.)
- (The act of supervision by a chaperone.)
- (The state of being accompanied by a chaperone.)
Advanced Usage
"under chaperonage": being supervised or accompanied by a chaperone.
- The young couple went to the dance under the chaperonage of an older relative. (They were supervised by a chaperone.)
"to exercise chaperonage over": to act as a chaperone for someone.
- The governess was tasked to exercise chaperonage over the debutantes. (She supervised the young women.)
Variants and Related Words
Chaperone (noun/verb): a person who accompanies and supervises young people, especially unmarried women, in social situations; also, the verb meaning to act as such a person.
- She served as a chaperone for the school trip. (She supervised the students.)
- He chaperoned his sister to the party. (He accompanied and supervised her.)
Chaperoned (adj): having a chaperone present.
- The event was chaperoned to prevent any misconduct. (It had supervision.)
Unchaperoned (adj): without a chaperone.
- The teenagers were unchaperoned at the beach. (They had no supervision.)
Synonyms
- Supervision: the act of overseeing or managing.
- Guardianship: the role of protecting or caring for someone.
- Custody: the state of being kept safe or under control.
Related Idioms
Under one's wing: being protected or guided by someone.
- The young actress was taken under the wing of an experienced chaperone. (She was supervised and protected.)
Keep an eye on: to watch over someone.
- The chaperone kept an eye on the children during the outing. (She supervised them.)