hartal

American

[hahr-tahl] / hɑrˈtɑl /

noun

(in India) a closing of shops and stopping of work, especially as a form of passive resistance.

hartal British

/ hɑːˈtɑːl /

noun

(in India) the act of closing shops or suspending work, esp in political protest

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hartal

1915–20; < Hindi harṭal, variant of haṭṭāl, equivalent to hat shop ( Sanskrit haṭṭa ) + tāl locking ( Sanskrit tālāka lock, bolt)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Had not a great part of Calcutta itself also observed the Hartal proclaimed by Mr. Gandhi during the Prince's visit?

From India, Old and New by Chirol, Valentine, Sir

Mr. Gandhi, having formed his committee, proclaimed a Hartal, i.e. a demonstrative closing of shops and suspension of business for March 30.

From India, Old and New by Chirol, Valentine, Sir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023