Chaperones

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Trusted individuals who oversee and support group activities in various environments
2. Adults who accompany and supervise young people at social events to ensure proper behavior ; proteins that assist other molecules in folding correctly or moving within cells
3. People who oversee and guide groups of youths during activities to maintain order and safety ; molecules that help other proteins achieve proper folding or cellular location

Etymology: "Chaperones" is the plural of "chaperone," which is a form of the noun "chaperon" that was borrowed from French. Its root is the French "chape," meaning a cape or hood, and a "chaperon" was originally a hood or hooded cloak. Over time, the meaning shifted from the garment to the person who wore or was associated with it: a figure who accompanied young people to keep them out of trouble. The English spelling "chaperone" came to be used alongside the older "chaperon," and the spelling with the final "e" is the one most common today. The plural simply adds an "s" to that form, so "chaperones" refers to more than one such guardian.

Synonyms: supervisors, guardians, escorts, attendants, supervisors