Also 6–7 chapperon, 7 chapron, chapperoon, shaparoon, shaparowne, shabbaron, 7–9 chaperoon. [a. F. chaperon hood, a kind of dim. deriv. of chape cope, cape (cf. moucheron gnat, f. mouche fly); also used in sense 3 (in which English writers often erroneously spell it chaperone, app. under the supposition that it requires a fem. termination).]
1. A hood or cap formerly worn by nobles, and, after the 16th c., by ladies. Obs. exc. Hist.
(Cotgr. (1611), has ‘Chaperon, a hood, or French hood (for a woman); also any hood, bonnet, or lettice cap.’)
c. 1380. Wyclif, Rule St. Francis, Wks. (1880), 40. Cloþis of probacion, þat is to seie tweie cotis or kirtlis wiþ-outen hood and a girdil & a brech & a chaperon to þe girdel.
a. 1552. Leland, Brit. Coll. (1774), II. 468. The Quenes Party … causid his Chaperon and also Baldokes to be taken of, and to have on theyr Heddes Chapelettes of poignante Netles.
1605. Verstegan, Dec. Intell., iii. (1634), 71. The reason of her chapron with long eares.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, II. iv. (1660), 56. The more resemblance of a Chaperon or Hood.
1619. Irish Hobbob, in Rich’s Honest. Age (1844), Pref. 22. If she be not suted in her Shaparowne.
1620. Dekker, Dreame (1860), 36. Gay gawdy women … tricking vp their fronts with chaperoones And powdred haire.
1623. Favine, Theat. Hon., X. iii. 432. Their White Hoods or Chapperons.
a. 1700. Songs Costume (1849), 200. Her shabbarons next I’ll show.
1813. Hogg, Queen’s Wake, 295. To thee, who … rear’st thy proud and thy pale chaperoon … God of the western wind, God of the shower.
1830. G. P. R. James, Darnley, xxxiv. 150. Deep in the mysteries … of chaperons and fraises.
1834. Planché, Brit. Costume, 157. Hats, caps, and high bonnets are worn as well as chaperons [temp. Rich. II.].
† b. part of the full dress of Knights of the Garter.
1577. Harrison, England, II. v. (1877), I. 116. He [Edw. III.] … inuented this societie of honour … giving them [Knights of the Garter] … a kirtle, gown, cloke, chaperon, collar, and other solemne and magnificent apparell.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. ix. § 33. Their Purple Mantle, their Gown, Kirtle, Chaperon, and chiefly their Garter.
1696. Phillips, Chaperon, the Hood anciently worn by the Knights of the Garter, being part of the Habit of that Order.
† 2. A small escutcheon placed (esp.) on the forehead of a horse drawing a hearse. Obs.
1680. Lond. Gaz., No. 1487/4. 6 silver Forks marked with a Spread-Eagle upon a Chapperoon.
1696. Phillips, Chaperon … a little Escutcheon fix’d in the forehead of the Horses that draw the Hearse at a Funeral.
1768. Bristol Jrnl., Oct. A chaperon with the auntient Arms of Brystowe fastende on his Forehead.
1783. R. Turner, Arts & Sc. (1821), 297. Little shields, drawn on hearses at pompous funerals, are called chaperonnes.
3. fig. A person, esp. a married or elderly woman, who, for the sake of propriety, accompanies a young unmarried lady in public, as guide and protector.
[See quot. 1864; the same explanation is given by Littré.]
1720. Mrs. Delany, Autobiog., I. 66. She … begged I would be her chaperone when she went to public places.
1771. Mrs. Harris, in Priv. Lett. 1st Ld. Malmesbury, I. 219. I was at the Oratorio Wednesday, in character of chaperon.
1800. Mar. Edgeworth, Belinda (1832), I. i. 15. A perfectly fit chaperon for any young lady to appear with in public.
1864. N. & Q., Ser. III. V. 280/2. Chaperon … when used metaphorically means that the experienced married woman shelters the youthful débutante as a hood shelters the face.
1866. Sat. Rev., 13 Jan., 49/1. Chaperones often painfully contrast with their fair protégées.
1880. Disraeli, Endym., lxxxviii. 410. He delivered his charge to her chaperon.
b. transf. One who escorts; guide, conductor.
1874. R. Tyrwhitt, Sketching Club, 189. The Præses made a capital chaperon.
Hence Chaperonee, a young lady who is chaperoned. Chaperonless a., without a chaperon. Chaperonship, the office of a chaperon. (Colloq. and Newspr. words.)
1881. Reynolds’s Newspaper, 16 June, 8/5. She unfortunately loses her aunt, Priscilla, and being chaperonless, is unable to comply with the requirements of the moral Custom House.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 27 May, 4/1. Success will most certainly attend the chaperon’s efforts, however unattractive the chaperonee. Ibid., 4/2. Chaperonless.
