duenna

[ doo-en-uh, dyoo- ]

/ duˈɛn ə, dyu- /

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

a governess.

Origin of duenna

1660–70; < Spanish duenna (now dueña) < Latin domina, feminine of dominus master

du·en·na·ship, noun

duecento, duel, duelist, duello, duende, duenna, duero, dues, dues-paying, duet, duetting

He told me that O'Brien had the duenna called to his room that morning.

Romance |Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
The duenna went out muttering a Gloria Patri, which was exactly finished by the time she got at the other side of the door.

Gomez Arias |Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
The duenna had scuttled forward on her knees and, amid a series of cries, was pressing the hem of the kimono to her lips.

The Azure Rose |Reginald Wright Kauffman
Here I am, till my duenna finishes her business and fetches me.

I Say No |Wilkie Collins

The duenna was taken by surprise, and Alcala read assent in her look of confusion.

The Spanish Cavalier |Charlotte Maria Tucker

duenna

/ (djuːˈɛnə) /

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

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