duenna

[doo-en-uh, dyoo-]

noun

1. (in Spain and Portugal) an older woman serving as escort or chaperon of a young lady.

2. a governess.

duenna

/ djuːˈɛnə /

noun

1. (in Spain and Portugal, etc) an elderly woman retained by a family to act as governess and chaperon to young girls

Other Word Forms

• duennaship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of duenna¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from older Spanish duenna (modern Spanish dueña ), from Latin domina, feminine of dominus “lord, master”

Word History and Origins

Origin of duenna¹

C17: from Spanish dueña, from Latin domina lady, feminine of dominus master

Example Sentences

The result is hypnotic rather than instructive and, like TV cookery programmes, it's a cinematic experience resembling lap dancing overseen by a duenna.

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Almost all the pretty and young women were accompanied by an ostensible duenna, and the methods of eluding their vigilance in communication were various.

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Two old duennas, of particularly vinegar aspect, advanced upon the girl, who for a moment clung to my friend's arm.

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They thought so ill of her, she had so misbehaved herself, that a duenna was not enough; a clergyman must be sent to lecture her.

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They were passing a few days in a scene of deep seclusion, there uncared for by tutor or duenna, and with no bar of routine to check the pranks of their gay, childish fancies.

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Related Words

• matron