duenna

noun

du·​en·​na dü-ˈe-nə 

dyü-

1

: an elderly woman serving as governess and companion to the younger ladies in a Spanish or a Portuguese family

2

: chaperone

duennaship

dü-ˈe-nə-ˌship 

dyü-

noun

Word History

Etymology

Spanish dueña, from Latin domina mistress — more at dame

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

duenna

noun

du·​en·​na d(y)ü-ˈen-ə 

1

: an elderly woman in charge of the younger ladies in a Spanish or Portuguese family

2

: chaperone entry 1