chaperon

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chaperon
A. †hood, cap XIV;

B. woman who accompanies a young unmarried woman as protector (often spelt -one, as if a fem. ending were required) XVIII. — (O)F., f. chape cope. CAPE 1. Sense B appears to have arisen from the application of the sb. and of the vb. chaperonner (whence chaperon vb. XVIII) to protection of various kinds.

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