1
a
: the wife of a castellan : the mistress of a château
b
: the mistress of a household or of a large establishment
2
: a clasp or hook for a watch, purse, or bunch of keys

Did you know?

The original chatelaine's domain was a castle or fort, and the chatelaine's duties were many. To complete them, she certainly needed keys. In the 18th century, the word chatelaine (borrowed from the French châtelaine) took on an additional meaning in English that alluded to this: the word came to be used for a decorative clasp or hook from which chains holding a watch, purse, keys, etc. were suspended. These popular accessories evoked the bunch of keys the original chatelaine had worn of necessity.

Examples of chatelaine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fox accessorized with a matching headpiece and chatelaine purse, completing her intricate look with Sable Jewelry rings and red reptile print Matea Gluščević platforms. Hannah Malach, WWD, 15 Dec. 2024 Among the grave goods buried with the girl were an iron knife, a chatelaine (decorative belt), glass beads, gold and garnet pins, and most significantly, an ornate gold pectoral cross inlaid with garnets, now known as the Trumpington Cross. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

French châtelaine, feminine of châtelain

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of chatelaine was in 1845

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Cite this Entry

“Chatelaine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chatelaine. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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