duenna

noun

du·en·na dü-ˈe-nə

dyü-

: an elderly woman serving as governess and companion to the younger ladies in a Spanish or a Portuguese family

: chaperone

duennaship

dü-ˈe-nə-ˌship

dyü-

noun

Etymology

Spanish dueña, from Latin domina mistress — more at dame

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of duenna was in 1623

See more words from the same year

Style

“Duenna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duenna. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

duenna

noun

du·en·na d(y)ü-ˈen-ə

: an elderly woman in charge of the younger ladies in a Spanish or Portuguese family

: chaperone entry 1

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