chaperone

 
Pronunciation: /ˈʃapərəʊn/
(also chaperon /ˈʃapərɒn/)

noun

  • a person who accompanies and looks after another person or group of people.
  • dated an older woman responsible for the decorous behaviour of a young unmarried girl at social occasions: chaperones sat at the edge of the dance, gossiping and watching

verb

[with object]
  • accompany and look after or supervise: she chaperoned the children at all times

Derivatives

chaperonage

Pronunciation: /ˈʃap(ə)r(ə)nɪdʒ/
noun

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting a hood or cap, regarded as giving protection): from French, feminine of chaperon 'hood', diminutive of chape (see chape). The current sense dates from the early 18th century