hijra

¹

[ hij-ruh ]

noun

1. 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.
2. a person who is transgender.

Hijra

²

[ hij-ruh ]

noun

, (sometimes lowercase)

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

hijra

/ ˈhɪdʒrə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hijra¹

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

Origin of hijra²

From the Arabic word hijrah flight, departure

Word History and Origins

Origin of hijra¹

Urdu: eunuch

Example Sentences

Attempting to desegregate Dar Ul Hijra, known in law enforcement circles as “the 9/11 mosque,” is significant.

From The Daily Beast

In the first half of the second year of the Hijra the breach between them was complete.

From Project Gutenberg

The emasculation is a secret rite and takes place under the direction of the chief Hijra priest of Behechra.

From Project Gutenberg

The lad is called the daughter of the old Hijra his guardian.

From Project Gutenberg

The earliest reference to Omar Khayyam dates from the middle of the seventh century of the Hijra.

From Project Gutenberg

The two sects founded by Sur and Zahar became extinct in the eighth century of the Hijra.

From Project Gutenberg