purdah

or pur·da, par·dah

[ pur-duh ]
/ ˈpɜr də /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR purdah ON THESAURUS.COM

noun (in India, Pakistan, etc.)

the seclusion of women from the sight of men or strangers, practiced by some Muslims and Hindus.
a screen, curtain, or veil used for this purpose.

Origin of purdah

1790–1800; < Hindi, Urdu pardah curtain < Persian

Words nearby purdah

purchase, purchase ledger, purchase tax, purchasing agent, purchasing power, purdah, purdonium, purdy, pure, pure absence, pure and simple

Words related to purdah

kerchief, mantle, veil, shawl, bonnet, protector, hat, wimple, cowl, yashmak, babushka, mantilla, coif, capuchin, seraglio, capuche, serai, zenana

Example sentences from the Web for purdah

British Dictionary definitions for purdah

purdah

purda

/ (ˈpɜːdə) /

noun

the custom in some Muslim and Hindu communities of keeping women in seclusion, with clothing that conceals them completely when they go out
a screen in a Hindu house used to keep the women out of view
a veil worn by Hindu women of high caste
informal hiding or isolation the Treasury is currently locked in pre-budget purdah

Word Origin for purdah

C19: from Hindi parda veil, from Persian pardah