duenna
[doo-en-uh, dyoo-]
- (in Spain and Portugal) an older woman serving as escort or chaperon of a young lady.
- a governess.
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Origin of duenna
1660–70; < Spanish duenna (now dueña) < Latin domina, feminine of dominus master
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for duenna
Historical Examples
She felt that she had been rather remiss in her duties as duenna, and was angry with herself.
Henry DunbarM. E. Braddon
It is to be observed the duenna was of a most obliging disposition.
Gomez AriasJoaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
Then the duenna resumed, and now came the worst of her story.
The Story of Don QuixoteArvid Paulson, Clayton Edwards, and Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
He told me that O'Brien had the duenna called to his room that morning.
RomanceJoseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
They must be torn away at once, or my character as duenna is lost for ever.'
Shawl-StrapsLouisa M. Alcott
duenna
- (in Spain and Portugal, etc) an elderly woman retained by a family to act as governess and chaperon to young girls
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Word Origin
C17: from Spanish dueña, from Latin domina lady, feminine of dominus master
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for duenna
n.
1660s, "chief lady in waiting upon the queen of Spain," also "an elderly woman in charge of girls from a Spanish family," from Spanish dueña "married lady, mistress" (fem. of dueño "master"), from Latin domina (see dame). Sense extended in English to "any elderly woman chaperon of a younger woman" (1708).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper