chaperonne

Chaperonne is the feminine form of the noun chaperone in French. It designates a woman who accompanies and supervises another person, especially a young woman, at social occasions to ensure propriety, safety, and decorum. The term derives from the French chaperon, historically a hood or head covering that gave protection and identity; over time the role became associated with guardianship and social oversight. In many European societies from the 17th through the 19th centuries, chaperonnes were appointed by families to accompany girls or unmarried women to dances, balls, and courtship events.

Typical duties included discreetly monitoring behavior, moderating interactions, and providing moral or social guidance; the arrangement was intended to preserve reputation and family honor in a time when dating and courtship were conducted in formal public settings. In practice, the presence of a chaperonne could influence social interactions and sometimes restricted movement or conversations.

Today the historical practice is less common in most Western cultures, though chaperones remain common in contexts involving minors, such as school trips, performances, and some public events. The term chaperonne, while still valid in modern French, is used less as a formal social role and more as a linguistic descriptor. In English usage, chaperone is gender-neutral, and the feminine form in French does not imply a different function beyond grammatical gender.

Related uses of the word chaperone in English belong to other senses, such as molecular chaperones in biology, which occupy a different domain entirely. See also: chaperone.