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purdah
or pur·da, par·dah
[ pur-duh ]
/ ˈpɜr də /
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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.
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Origin of purdah
1790–1800; <Hindi, Urdu pardah curtain <Persian
Words nearby purdah
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use purdah in a sentence
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 isolationthe Treasury is currently locked in pre-budget purdah
Word Origin for purdah
C19: from Hindi parda veil, from Persian pardah
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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