purdah

or pur·da, par·dah

[ pur-duh ]

noun

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

purdah

/ ˈpɜːdə /

noun

1. the custom in some Muslim and Hindu communities of keeping women in seclusion, with clothing that conceals them completely when they go out
2. a screen in a Hindu house used to keep the women out of view
3. a veil worn by Hindu women of high caste
4. informal.
   hiding or isolation

   the Treasury is currently locked in pre-budget purdah

Word History and Origins

Origin of purdah¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of purdah¹

C19: from Hindi parda veil, from Persian pardah

Example Sentences

The purdah rustled, and the speech was cut short by the entry of a little thin woman, with big rings round her eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Purdah, pur′d, n. a curtain screening a chamber of state or the women's apartments: the seclusion itself.

From Project Gutenberg

In the huts there was scarce one piece of furniture, save perhaps a bed or a roll of matting or a ragged purdah.

From Project Gutenberg

This had produced a violent revulsion towards the purdah system and the idea of a matrimonial alliance with Gunter Lake.

From Project Gutenberg

She came on board to see us, but many precautions to preserve the purdah had to be taken.

From Project Gutenberg