Tutelage (noun)

Photo by Stephen Packwood via Unsplash

Definition

1 a: instruction especially of an individual

b: a guiding influence

2. the state of being under a guardian or tutor

3 a: an act or process of serving as guardian or protector: guardianship

b: hegemony over a foreign territory: trusteeship

(Ref: Merriam-Webster Online, Word of the day, 14 July 2020)

Use it in a sentence

The young sisters, Becky and Violet, enjoyed the tutelage of a bright young thing, fresh from finishing school. They didn’t notice that their father’s gaze lingered a little too long over Miss Cavendish’s decollotage, or that at the same time their mother would raise her eyebrow and glare at her husband. They just loved the fact that Miss Cavendish would often sing to them. Some of her songs made them giggle and blush and cover their mouths, others would lull them into a dreamy state. They would unconsciously reach out to each other across the desks and hold hands, head cocked to one side, eyes half closed. They dreamed then, of handsome princes and nasty dragons that must be banished. They’d never dream of carrying out the task themselves. Miss Cavendish asked them once, if they’d like to learn how to fence and both of them exclaimed at once, ‘Oh no Miss Cavendish! We wouldn’t dream of it. And papa would never allow such a thing!’ The sisters Barrington were happy to take up a sewing needle rather than a sword, which did make Miss Cavendish sigh now and then.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *