chatelaine

See also: châtelaine

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French châtelaine.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈʃatəˌleɪn/

Noun

chatelaine (plural chatelaines)

  1. The mistress of a castle or large household.
  2. A chain or clasp worn at the waist by women, with handkerchief, keys, etc., attached (supposed to resemble the chain of keys once worn by mediaeval chatelaines).
    • 1970, John Glassco, Memoirs of Montparnasse, New York 2007, p. 33:
      The famous novelist was dressed in a badly fitting sleazy purple dress and a shapeless Napoleonic hat, with gloves and a long chatelaine; but the costume only heightened her air of distinction.

Quotations

  • For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:chatelaine.
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