chatelaine

American  

[shat-l-eyn, shaht^uh-len] / ˈʃæt lˌeɪn, ʃɑtəˈlɛn /

noun

chatelaines plural

1. the mistress of a castle.

2. the mistress of an elegant or fashionable household.

3. a hooklike clasp or a chain for suspending keys, trinkets, scissors, a watch, etc., worn at the waist by women.

4. a woman's lapel ornament resembling this.

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chatelaine British  

/ ˈʃætəˌleɪn, ʃɑtlɛn /

noun

1. (esp formerly) the mistress of a castle or fashionable household

2. a chain or clasp worn at the waist by women in the 16th to the 19th centuries, with handkerchief, keys, etc, attached

3. a decorative pendant worn on the lapel

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• chatelaines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chatelaine

From the French word châtelaine, dating back to 1835–45. See chatelain

Related Words

• girlfriend
• paramour
• sweetheart