zenana

American  

[zuh-nah-nuh] / zəˈnɑ nə /

Or zanana

noun

1. the part of the house in which the women and girls of a family are secluded.

2. its occupants collectively.

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zenana British  

/ zɛˈnɑːnə /

noun

1. (in the East, esp in Muslim and Hindu homes) part of a house reserved for the women and girls of a household

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Etymology

Origin of zenana

First recorded in 1755–65; from Hindi, from Persian zanāna, “female, pertaining to women,” adjective derivative of zan “woman”; cognate with Sanskrit jani “woman, wife,” Greek gynḗ, Old Church Slavonic žena, Old English cwēn “woman, wife”; see queen

Example Sentences

The buzzing sound of UAVs has been ubiquitous in Gaza since 2006, and drones are called zenana, an Arabic word referring to the sound using the slang term for a nagging wife.

From Salon • Nov. 11, 2024

Immured within the walls of a close zenana they are seldom suffered to enjoy such unrestrained liberty.

From The Hindoos as they Are A Description of the Manners, Customs and the Inner Life of Hindoo Society in Bengal by Bose, Shib Chunder

The rajah receives the utterpan from his wife, of whom he may demand that the rose-water perfuming be performed in the zenana.

From Told by the Death's Head A Romantic Tale by J?kai, M?r

Within the zenana, to which Spot was admitted as little boys under six are admitted to ladies' bathing-machines, Cousin Edith warned a young girl against the wiles of men.

From Rich Relatives by MacKenzie, Compton

Native women were soon studying medicine in order to bring an end to the superstitions of the zenana.

From The Modern Woman's Rights Movement A Historical Survey by Schirmacher, Kaethe