Definition of: chaperon

(shap′ə·rōn) noun
1. A woman who acts as attendant of protector of a young unmarried woman in public.
2. An older person who attends a social function to maintain its decorum and propriety.
—v.t. To attend (a young unmarried woman) in mixed company; act as chaperon to. Also chap′er·one. [<F, hood <chape cape; because she protects her charges from harm]
—chap·er·on·age (shap′ə·rō′nij) noun