chatelaine
Americannoun
plural
chatelaines-
the mistress of a castle.
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the mistress of an elegant or fashionable household.
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a hooklike clasp or a chain for suspending keys, trinkets, scissors, a watch, etc., worn at the waist by women.
-
a woman's lapel ornament resembling this.
noun
-
(esp formerly) the mistress of a castle or fashionable household
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a chain or clasp worn at the waist by women in the 16th to the 19th centuries, with handkerchief, keys, etc, attached
-
a decorative pendant worn on the lapel
Etymology
Origin of chatelaine
From the French word châtelaine, dating back to 1835–45. See chatelain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This while substituting for her mother as the rectory’s chatelaine, with all the submission and drudgery that entails.
From New York Times • May 3, 2018
The conversation is interrupted momentarily when Lady Carnarvon, the estate's current chatelaine, pops by to fix herself an espresso.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2015
It seems the Duchess of Northumberland, chatelaine of Alnwick and creator of the Poison Garden, keeps several stuffed dogs up at the castle.
From Washington Post • Jun. 25, 2015
Deborah, who married a nobleman and became chatelaine of the vast Chatsworth estate in central England, died last week aged 94.
From Washington Times • Oct. 2, 2014
Daisy found it impossible to keep her eyes off her ‘pitty aunty’, but attached herself like a lap dog to the wonderful chatelaine full of delightful charms.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
