A young woman approaching the age at which she may formally be presented to society at a ball or similar social occasion; a girl in her mid-to-late teens.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in The Los Angeles Times. From sub- + débutante.
Definition of sub-debutante in US English:
sub-debutante
nounˌsʌbˈdɛbjʊtɑːnt
US
A young woman approaching the age at which she may formally be presented to society at a ball or similar social occasion; a girl in her mid-to-late teens.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in The Los Angeles Times. From sub- + débutante.