zenana
Americannoun
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the part of the house in which the women and girls of a family are secluded.
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its occupants collectively.
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
He went home from the river in a pensive mood, and instead of proceeding to the zenana for breakfast, remained in the outer part of the palace.
From Folk-Tales of Bengal by Lal Behari Day
The broad terrace on which they stood was flanked by the graceful buildings of the zenana.
From The Great Mogul by Louis Tracy
She was a woman of immense activity and energy; and if she were absent one day from the palace, the affairs of the zenana would be in perfect disorder.
From Folk-Tales of Bengal by Lal Behari Day
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 Shib Chunder Bose
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
