Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

French ''début'', from ''débuter'' to begin, from Middle French ''desbuter'' to [[play]] first, from ''des''- ''de''- + ''but'' starting [[point]], goal  

French ''début'', from ''débuter'' to begin, from Middle French ''desbuter'' to [[play]] first, from ''des''- ''de''- + ''but'' starting [[point]], goal  

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1751]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1751]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: a first [[appearance]] <made her singing debut>

*1: a first [[appearance]] <made her singing debut>

*2: a [[formal]] entrance into [[society]]  

*2: a [[formal]] entrance into [[society]]  

==Description==

==Description==

A '''debutante''' (from the French ''débutante'', "[[female]] beginner") is a girl or young lady from an [[aristocratic]] or upper class [[family]] who has reached the age of [[maturity]] and, as a new adult, is introduced to [[society]] at a formal "debut" presentation. Originally, it meant the young woman was eligible to [[marry]], and part of the [[purpose]] was to display her to eligible [[bachelor]]s and their families with a view to marriage within a select upper class circle. Debutantes may be recommended by a distinguished committee or sponsored by an established member of [[elite]] [[society]]. It should not be [[confused]] with an Irish "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debs_and_grads deb]."

A '''debutante''' (from the French ''débutante'', "[[female]] beginner") is a girl or young lady from an [[aristocratic]] or upper class [[family]] who has reached the age of [[maturity]] and, as a new adult, is introduced to [[society]] at a formal "debut" presentation. Originally, it meant the young woman was eligible to [[marry]], and part of the [[purpose]] was to display her to eligible [[bachelor]]s and their families with a view to marriage within a select upper class circle. Debutantes may be recommended by a distinguished committee or sponsored by an established member of [[elite]] [[society]]. It should not be [[confused]] with an Irish "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debs_and_grads deb]."

Debut presentations vary by regional [[culture]] and are also frequently referenced as "debutante balls," "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotillion_ball cotillion balls]" or "coming-out" parties. The [[male]] equivalent is often referred to as "beautillion ball". A lone debutante might have her own debut, or she might [[share]] it with a sister or other close relative. Modern debutante balls are often [[charity]] events: the [[parents]] of the debutante donate a certain amount of [[money]] to the designated cause, and the invited guests pay for their tickets. These balls may be elaborate [[formal]] affairs and involve not only "debs" but junior debutantes, escorts and ushers, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_ceremony_participants#Flower_girls flower girls] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_ceremony_participants#Page_Boys pages] as well.

Debut presentations vary by regional [[culture]] and are also frequently referenced as "debutante balls," "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotillion_ball cotillion balls]" or "coming-out" parties. The [[male]] equivalent is often referred to as "beautillion ball". A lone debutante might have her own debut, or she might [[share]] it with a sister or other close relative. Modern debutante balls are often [[charity]] events: the [[parents]] of the debutante donate a certain amount of [[money]] to the designated cause, and the invited guests pay for their tickets. These balls may be elaborate [[formal]] affairs and involve not only "debs" but junior debutantes, escorts and ushers, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_ceremony_participants#Flower_girls flower girls] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_ceremony_participants#Page_Boys pages] as well.

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]