A young woman making her debut in society, traditionally at a formal ball or dance; short for debutante.
Shortened form of 'debutante,' from French 'début' meaning first appearance, from Latin 'de-' (from) plus 'battere' (to beat). The custom developed in 18th-century aristocratic Europe.
The 'debutante ball' tradition shows how language crystallizes social rituals—a 'deb' was literally a girl being formally announced as ready for marriage, and the custom shaped English-speaking high society for centuries.
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