Both Uses of
debut
in
The House of Mirth
- The previous year she had made a dazzling debut fringed by a heavy thunder-cloud of bills.†
Chpt 1.3 *
- The light of the debut still lingered on the horizon, but the cloud had thickened; and suddenly it broke.†
Chpt 1.3
Definition:
-
(debut) a first presentationin various senses, including:
- the first performance of a new play
- the introduction of a new product
- the introduction of a young woman to society at a social event held in her honor (a debutante ball)
editor's notes: In the United States a small percentage of young woman are debuted at a debutante ball. The custom is most common in the South.
In the Hispanic culture, a similar custom is called QuinceaƱera. There are many varying debutante customs around the world.