noun
duenna
doo-EN-uh/duˈɛnə/
An older woman who supervises a girl or young woman.
The duenna watches closely as the young woman meets a visitor.
Etymology
The household authority expressed by domina, 'lady' or 'mistress of the house,' became a supervisory role: an older woman in charge of girls, then more generally a younger woman's chaperone.
In context
there is no duenna so rigidly prudent and inexorably decorous as a superannuated coquette.
some old woman or other to look after her as she Grew Older a kind of [duenna] you know
More examples
- Her duenna stays nearby while she talks with her suitor.
- The two duennas keep a watchful eye on the girls.
- She resents having a duenna at every social gathering.
Forms
duenna · duennas
Similar words
- chaperone
- Supervises young people but need not be an older woman.
- governess
- Primarily teaches children at home rather than supervising social conduct.