chatelaine Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the mistress of a chateau or large country house
  2. noun a chain formerly worn at the waist by women; for carrying a purse or bunch of keys etc.

WordNet

Chat"e*laine noun
Etymology
F. châtelaine the wife of a castellan, the mistress of a chateau, a chatelaine chain.
Definitions
  1. An ornamental hook, or brooch worn by a lady at her waist, and having a short chain or chains attached for a watch, keys, trinkets, etc. Also used adjectively; as, a chatelaine chain.

Webster 1913