hijra

[ hij-ruh ]

/ ˈhɪdʒ rə /

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Definition of hijra

noun (in South Asia, especially India)

a person whose gender identity is neither male nor female, typically a person who was assigned male at birth but whose gender expression is female.

a person who is transgender.

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Origin of hijra

First recorded in 1835–40; from Hindi: “eunuch, hermaphrodite”

Words nearby hijra

hijab, hijack, hijacker, Hijaz, hijiki, hijra, Hijrah, hike, hike out, hikoi, hilarious

Other definitions for hijra (2 of 2)

Hijra

[ hij-ruh ]

/ ˈhɪdʒ rə /

noun (sometimes lowercase)Islam.

the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution a.d. 622: regarded as the beginning of the Muslim Era.

the Muslim Era itself.

Also Hegira, Hijrah.

Origin of Hijra

From the Arabic word hijrah flight, departure

How to use hijra in a sentence

Attempting to desegregate Dar Ul Hijra, known in law enforcement circles as “the 9/11 mosque,” is significant.
Showdown at the Mosque|Asra Q. Nomani|May 17, 2010|DAILY BEAST
In the first half of the second year of the Hijra the breach between them was complete.
The Faith of Islam|Edward Sell
The emasculation is a secret rite and takes place under the direction of the chief Hijra priest of Behechra.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India|R. V. Russell
The lad is called the daughter of the old Hijra his guardian.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India|R. V. Russell

The earliest reference to Omar Khayyam dates from the middle of the seventh century of the Hijra.
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam|Omar Khayyam
The two sects founded by Sur and Zahar became extinct in the eighth century of the Hijra.
The Faith of Islam|Edward Sell

British Dictionary definitions for hijra

hijra

/ (ˈhɪdʒrə) /

noun

(in India) a person who adopts a gender role that is neither male nor female

Word Origin for hijra

Urdu: eunuch

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