purdah etymology

Etymology:

  • English: purdah
  • Persian: parda (curtain, veil)

Meaning:

  • A system of seclusion and veiling practiced in certain Muslim societies, particularly in South Asia, where women are confined to the home or to designated spaces within the home, and their interactions with men outside the immediate family are restricted.

Origin:

The practice of purdah originated in ancient Persia, where it was a custom for women of the royal harem to be secluded from public view. The practice was later adopted by some Muslim societies, particularly in South Asia, where it became associated with religious and social norms.

Variations:

There are different variations of purdah, including:

  • Complete purdah (ghoonghat): Women are completely covered from head to toe in public and do not interact with men outside the immediate family.
  • Partial purdah (burqa): Women wear a veil or burqa that covers most of their face and body, but they may interact with men in certain contexts, such as work or school.
  • Symbolic purdah: Women may not be physically secluded but are expected to observe certain modesty codes, such as avoiding eye contact with men or dressing in a conservative manner.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

Purdah is often justified as a way to protect women's honor and modesty. In some cultures, it is seen as a symbol of female piety and seclusion from the temptations of the outside world. However, the practice has been criticized by feminists and human rights organizations as being oppressive and depriving women of their freedom and opportunities.

purdah relate terms

  • abdomen

    Etymology Latin abdomen from Medieval Latin abdomen Greek ἀβδόμην abdomen

  • abscond

    Etymology The word abscond comes from the Latin word abscondere which means to hid

  • affect

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word afficere meaning to do something to or to ha

  • affect

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word afficere meaning to do something to or to ha

  • amplify

    Amplify Etymology The word amplify comes from the Latin word amplificare which mean

  • anathema

    Etymology Anathema is derived from the Greek word anáthema which means something de

  • antithesis

    Etymology Greek anti against thesis position statement Meaning Antithesis is

  • apothecary

    Apothecary Etymology The word apothecary is derived from the Greek word apotheke me

  • artifact

    Etymology The word artifact is derived from two Latin words Ars meaning art sk

  • artifice

    Etymology Middle English artifice from Old French artifice from Latin ars artis a

  • beatific

    Etymology Latin beatificus meaning making blessed root beatus meaning blessed

  • benefice

    Etymology The word benefice comes from the Middle English word benefice which is der

  • beneficence

    Etymology The word beneficence comes from the Latin words bene good and facere

  • beneficial

    Etymology benefi from Latin bene meaning well fic from Latin facere meaning

  • benefit

    Etymology The word benefit comes from the Old French word benefice which in turn co

  • bibliothec

    Etymology The word bibliothec is derived from the Greek word bibliotheke which is a

  • bodega

    Etymology The word bodega has Spanish origins and stems from the Medieval Latin word

  • boutique

    Etymology The word boutique originated in French in the 19th century It is derived fro

  • certify

    Etymology The word certify comes from the Old French word certifier which is derive

  • chafe

    Etymology and Meaning of Chafe The word chafe has multiple origins Old English

  • chauffeur

    Etymology The word chauffeur originates from the French word chauffer which means

  • comfit

    Etymology The word comfit comes from the Old French word confeit which in turn comes

  • condiment

    Etymology The word condiment originates from the Latin word condire meaning to pre

  • confection

    Etymology The word confection comes from the Latin word confectio which means a ma

  • confetti

    Etymology Confetti is derived from the Italian word confetto meaning a small sweet or

  • counterfeit

    Etymology The word counterfeit comes from the Middle English word countrefete which

  • deed

    Etymology The word deed comes from the Middle English word dede which in turn der

  • deem

    Etymology Middle English deemen from Old English dēman from Proto West Germanic

  • deface

    Etymology The word deface comes from the Middle English word defacen which in turn

  • defeasance

    Etymology Old French defeisance Latin defensio defense Meaning An event or a

  • defeat

    Etymology Middle English defeten from Old French desfeiter from Late Latin dēdēf

  • defect

    Etymology The word defect comes from the Latin word deficere which means to fail

  • deficient

    Etymology Deficient comes from the Latin word deficere meaning to fail or to be la

  • difficulty

    Etymology From Old French difficulté from Latin difficultas from difficilis meaning

  • dignify

    Etymology The word dignify comes from the Latin word dignus meaning worthy or d

  • discomfit

    Etymology of Discomfit Latin dis prefix meaning apart away conficere verb

  • doom

    Etymology The word doom comes from the Old English word dōm which has several mean

  • duma

    Etymology The word duma originates from the Russian word думать dumát mean

  • edifice

    Etymology The word edifice is derived from the Latin word aedificium which means bu

  • edify

    Etymology Latin aedificare meaning to build Derived from aedes meaning house or

  • efface

    Etymology The word efface comes from the Old French word esfacer which means to wip

  • effect

    Etymology Middle English effect from Old French effect effec from Latin effectus p

  • efficacious

    Etymology Latin efficacious from efficāx efficācis Proto Indo European edh to

  • efficient

    Etymology Efficient derives from the Latin word efficiens entis which is the pre

  • epithet

    Epithet Etymology Derived from the Greek word epítheton meaning something added on

  • facade

    Etymology The word facade comes from the Italian word facciata which means face I

  • face

    Etymology The word face comes from the Middle English word face which in turn derive

  • facet

    Etymology Latin facies face Proto Indo European bhak to shine Meaning

  • facial

    Etymology Facial is derived from the Latin word facies meaning face Meaning Re

  • facile

    Etymology French facile Latin facilis Proto Indo European s pekw to be quick ha

  • facilitate

    Etymology Facilitate comes from the Latin word facilitare which means to make easy

  • facsimile

    Etymology From Latin facsimile from facere to make do simile likeness Me

  • fact

    Etymology The word fact is derived from the Latin word factum which means a thing

  • faction

    Etymology The word faction is derived from the Latin word factio which means a do

  • factitious

    Factitious Etymology Meaning A false or fabricated explanation of the origin or meaning

  • factitive

    Etymology From Latin factitivus from facticius from facere to do make Meaning

  • factor

    Etymology Latin factum a deed act event Past participle of facere to do make

  • factory

    Etymology Middle English fact o rie from Old French factorie Old French borrowed fro

  • factotum

    Etymology The word factotum is derived from the Latin phrase fac totum meaning do

  • faculty

    Etymology The word faculty is derived from the Latin word facultas which means abi

  • fashion

    Etymology The word fashion comes from the Old French word facon meaning make or

  • feasible

    Etymology The word feasible comes from the Old French faisable which in turn comes f

  • feat

    Etymology The word feat comes from the Late Latin word factum which means deed or

  • feature

    Etymology Latin facere to make to do Old French feiture making deed Middle

  • feckless

    Etymology The word feckless comes from the Middle English word fekeless which means

  • fordo

    Etymology Old English forð Proto Germanic furthu Proto Indo European pr̥ tu Me

  • forfeit

    Etymology Middle English forfeiten from Anglo Norman French forfeter from Old French

  • hacienda

    Etymology The word hacienda originates from the Spanish language deriving from the Old

  • hypothecate

    Etymology The word hypothecate comes from the Ancient Greek word hupothēkē which m

  • hypothesis

    Etymology Derived from Ancient Greek hypothesis ὑπόθεσις meaning a placi

  • incondite

    Etymology The word incondite derives from the Latin inconditus which means unprepar

  • indeed

    Etymology The word indeed derives from the Old English phrase in gedehð or in geþo

  • infect

    Etymology The word infect derives from the Latin inficere which means to put a sta

  • justify

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their historical development

  • malefactor

    Etymology From Middle English malefactour from Old French malfaitour ultimately from

  • malfeasance

    Etymology Origin Latin male facere meaning to do wrong First Use 14th century Me

  • manufacture

    Etymology The word manufacture comes from the Latin word manu factus which literall

  • metathesis

    Etymology The word metathesis comes from the Greek word μετάθεσις metathesi

  • misfeasance

    Etymology and Origin of Misfeasance Etymology The word misfeasance is derived from

  • modify

    1 Etymology a Definition The study of the history of words including their origins f

  • mollify

    Etymology The word mollify comes from the Latin word mollifico which is a combinati

  • multifarious

    Etymology Latin multifarius various manifold Multi meaning many farius m

  • notify

    Etymology Origin Middle English notifeien Old French notifier Latin notare to mark

  • nullify

    Etymology Latin nullus meaning none French nullifier meaning to make null an

  • office

    Etymology The word office is derived from the Latin word officium which originally m

  • officinal

    Etymology Latin officīna meaning workshop store pharmacy Proto Indo European o

  • omnifarious

    Etymology omnifarious adj 1560s from Medieval Latin omnifarius from every direction

  • orifice

    Etymology The word orifice is derived from the Latin word orificium which means mou

  • parenthesis

    Etymology and Meaning The word parenthesis comes from the Latin word parenthesis wh

  • perfect

    Etymology Perfect comes from the Latin word perfectus which means completed finish

  • petrify

    Etymology Latin petrify to transform into stone Greek petra stone Meaning

  • pluperfect

    Etymology From Latin pluperfectus from plus more and perfectus completed finished

  • pontifex

    Etymology The word pontifex is derived from the Latin phrases pons bridge facer

  • prefect

    Etymology of Perfect The word perfect originates from the Latin word perfectus whi

  • proficient

    Etymology Origin Latin proficiscor meaning to set out to advance Components

  • profit

    Etymology The word profit comes from the Latin word profectus meaning progress or

  • prosthesis

    Etymology The word prosthesis comes from the Greek word πρόσθεσις prothesis

  • prothesis

    Etymology Greek πρόθεσις prothesis from προ pro before and τ

  • purdah

    Etymology English purdah Persian parda curtain veil Meaning A system of seclu

  • putrefy

    Etymology Latin putrefacere to rot decay putrere to rot putis stench Me

  • qualify

    Etymology Origin Latin qualificare to describe Meaning To describe or attribute

  • rarefy

    Etymology Latin rarus thin sparse Proto Indo European rewh₁ to tear scra

  • recondite

    Etymology and Origin The word recondite derives from the Latin word reconditus mean

  • rectify

    Etymology The word rectify comes from the Latin word rectificare which is itself de

  • refectory

    Etymology From Late Latin refectorium from Latin refectus past participle of reficere

  • sacrifice

    Etymology The word sacrifice originates from the Latin word sacrificium which is der

  • salmagundi

    Etymology of Salmagundi The word salmagundi has a complex etymology with roots in se

  • samadhi

    Etymology Sanskrit सम ध samādhi Meaning Complete absorption or s

  • satisfy

    Etymology The word satisfy comes from the Latin word satisfacere which means to mak

  • sconce

    Etymology The word sconce derives from the Old French word esconce variant of esco

  • suffice

    Etymology The word suffice comes from the Latin word sufficere which means to be en

  • sufficient

    Etymology The word sufficient comes from the Latin word sufficientis which itself i

  • surface

    Etymology The word surface is derived from the Old French word sorface which itself

  • surfeit

    Etymology The word surfeit comes from the Old French word surfet which means overa

  • synthesis

    Etymology Greek synthesis σύνθεσις Meaning The act or process of co

  • ticking

    Etymology Middle English tikken tiken probably from Old English tician ticcen tyc

  • theco

    Etymology Theco is derived from the Greek word thēkē meaning a case box or con

  • thematic

    Thematic Etymology Thematic etymology is a branch of etymology that focuses on the identi

  • theme

    Etymology The word theme derives from the Greek word thema θέμα which means s

  • thesis

    Etymology The word thesis comes from the Ancient Greek word τίθημι tithēmi

  • verify

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It looks at how wor

  • afford

    Etymology and Origin Origin Middle English c 1300 provide for Etymology From Old

  • approach

    Etymology Approach comes from the Middle English word approchen which in turn derive

  • appropriate

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meaning has chang

  • approve

    Etymology Middle English approven from Anglo Norman French aprover approvere from L

  • approximate

    approximate Etymology Late Middle English in the sense near in measure or amount

  • barbican

    Etymology From Middle English barbikane from Old French barbacane from Late Latin barb

  • before

    Prefix before Etymology Middle English from Old English beforan from be denoting po

  • deprive

    Etymology The word deprive comes from the Middle French word despriver meaning to d

  • expropriate

    Etymology Latin expropriare to take for one s own Components ex out of from

  • first

    Etymology the study of the origin and development of words and their meanings Meaning

  • fore

    Etymology Middle English fore from Old English fore in front of before in time or p

  • forefather

    Etymology The word forefather is derived from the following components Fore prefi

  • foremost

    Etymology Fore Old English fore meaning at the front before in advance Most S

  • former

    Etymology Middle English fermer from Old French fermer from Latin firmare to make f

  • forth

    Etymology The word forth is derived from the Old English word forth which is itself

  • frame

    Etymology Middle English frame from Old French frame fram from Frankish ram of unc

  • frau

    Etymology The word frau comes from the Middle High German MGH word vrouwe c 12th

  • fret

    Etymology From Middle English freten fretten freten from Old English fretian to de

  • Freya

    Etymology Freya is a goddess in Norse mythology Her name is derived from the Old Norse

  • froward

    Etymology Middle English frowerd from Old English fraweard Old English fraweard from

  • from

    Etymology refers to the study of the origin and history of words including their meaning

  • furnish

    Etymology The word furnish is derived from the Old French word furnir which means t

  • furniture

    Etymology The word furniture comes from the Old French word fourniture which means

  • further

    Etymology The word further derives from the Old English furthor which itself is deri

  • galore

    Etymology Old English galore in abundance Possibly from Middle Dutch te loere on

  • hysteron proteron

    Etymology Greek hysteron later proteron earlier Meaning Hysteron protero

  • impervious

    Etymology Late Latin imperspicuus French impervious Meaning Impermeable not

  • improbity

    Etymology The word impropriety stems from the im prefix which denotes not or opp

  • impromptu

    Etymology Impromptu Latin impromptu from in not promptus ready Meaning

  • improve

    Etymology Etymology pronounced ˌe tɪˈmɑːlə dʒi originates from two Greek roo

  • palfrey

    Etymology The word palfrey is derived from the Old French word palefroi which in tur

  • para

    Etymology The word para originates from the Greek preposition παρά pará which

  • paradise

    Etymology The word paradise comes from the Old Persian word pairidaēza which means

  • pardon

    Etymology The word pardon comes from the Old French word pardonner which itself come

  • paramount

    Etymology The word paramount comes from the Middle French word paramont which in tu

  • parvenu

    Etymology French parvenu past participle of parvenir to arrive reach Latin perv

  • pellucid

    Etymology and Meaning The word pellucid comes from the Latin word pellucidus which m

  • percent

    Etymology Origin Latin per centum meaning by the hundred Origin French pour c

  • percussion

    Etymology Latin percutere to strike through beat upon Proto Indo European per

  • perennial

    Etymology From Old French perennial from Latin perennis lasting through the year

  • perestroika

    Etymology Russian перестройка perestroika literally restructuring Mea

  • perfect

    Etymology Perfect comes from the Latin word perfectus which means completed finish

  • perfidy

    Etymology Middle English perfidie from Old French perfidie from Latin perfidia from

  • perform

  • perfume

    Etymology of Perfume The word perfume is derived from the Latin word per fumare me

  • perfunctory

    Etymology The word perfunctory originates from the Latin phrase per functus which m

  • perhaps

    Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It traces how words have evolve

  • perish

    Etymology Old French perir Latin perire from per meaning completely ire mean

  • perjury

    Etymology Perjury comes from the Latin word periurium which means false oath It is

  • permanent

    Etymology Latin permanens entis present participle of permanere to remain endure

  • permeate

    Etymology Late Middle English in the sense diffuse through from Latin permeatu

  • permit

    Etymology The word permit derives from the Latin verb permittere which means to all

  • pernicious

    Etymology Latin pernicies destruction from per completely and nex death

  • perpendicular

    Etymology and Meaning The word perpendicular comes from the Latin words per through

  • perpetual

    Meaning and Origin of Perpetual Etymology Perpetual etymology is a term coined by lin

  • perplex

    Etymology From Middle English perplexen perplexen from Old French perplexer from Lat

  • persecute

    Etymology From Middle French persécuter from Late Latin persecutī the gerund of per

  • persevere

    Etymology French persévérer Latin perseverare Prefix per through Verb severa

  • perspective

    Etymology Perspective comes from the Latin word perspicere which means to see throu

  • perspire

    Etymology From Latin perspirāre to breathe through from per spirare to breat

  • persuasion

    Etymology Latin persuadere to persuade convince induce Proto Indo European per

  • pertain

    Etymology Latin pertinēre to belong to to have a relation to to concern Proto In

  • peruse

    Peruse Etymology Late Middle English from medieval Latin perūsus past participle of

  • pervade

    Etymology Latin pervadere Middle English pervaden Old French pervader Meaning To s

  • pierce

    Etymology Middle English percen from Old French percier from Late Latin pertusiare

  • portray

    Etymology Late Latin portrahere from Latin prō forward trahere to draw

  • postprandial

    Etymology Latin post after prandium meal Meaning Relating to or occurri

  • prae

    Etymology Prae is a Latin preposition meaning before or in front of It is derived

  • Prakrit

    Etymology The word Prakrit is derived from the Sanskrit word prakṛti which means

  • premier

    Premier Etymology French from Old French premier from Latin primus first Meaning

  • presbyter

    Etymology The word presbyter is derived from the Greek word presbuteros which means

  • Presbyterian

    Etymology The term Presbyterian originates from the Greek word presbuteros meaning

  • preterite

    Etymology The word preterite derives from the Latin praeteritus meaning past or gon

  • pride

    Etymology The word pride comes from the Middle English word pryde which in turn der

  • priest

    Etymology The word priest derives from the Greek word presbyteros meaning elder or

  • primal

    Etymology Latin primus first Indo European pre before Meaning First in

  • primary

    Etymology Latin prīmārius from prīmus first Meaning First in importance ra

  • primate

    Etymology The word primate comes from the Latin word primas which means first M

  • primavera

    Etymology The word primavera has its roots in the Latin language Prima Meaning fir

  • prime

    Etymology The word prime comes from the Latin word primus which means first Mea

  • primeval

    Etymology The word primeval comes from the Middle French term primeval which is deri

  • primitive

    Etymology Latin primitivus Primus first ivus having the character of Mea

  • primo

    Etymology Latin primarius first chief primary From the Latin root primus firs

  • primogenitor

    Etymology Primitive Root Latin primus first Latin genitor parent Meaning

  • primogeniture

    Etymology French primogéniture Latin primogenitūra Primus first genitus bo

  • primordial

    Etymology Primordial is derived from the Latin word primordium which means beginni

  • primus

    Etymology The word primus is derived from the Latin word primum which means first

  • prince

    Etymology Old French prince Latin princeps first citizen Meaning A sovereig

  • principal

    Etymology From Middle French principal from Latin principalis from princeps prince

  • principle

    Etymology Old French principe Latin principium Proto Indo European _ prek to ta

  • prior

    Etymology Old English pryur Anglo French priour Latin prior Meaning In its

  • pristine

    Etymology Origin French pristine from Latin pristinus meaning former ancient Root

  • private

    Etymology The word private comes from the Latin word privatus which means distinct

  • privilege

    Etymology Latin privilegium Proto Indo European pr̥ḱ li s before the law Mea

  • probably

    Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek word etymos meaning true or

  • probe

    Etymology The word probe comes from the Latin word probare which means to test exa

  • probity

    Etymology From Late Latin probitas from Latin probus good excellent honest Ulti

  • problem

    Etymology Greek πρόβλημα problema obstacle question Latin problema di

  • proceed

    Etymology Latin prōcēdere to come forth advance Meaning To continue or pro

  • proclaim

    Etymology The word proclaim comes from the Middle English word proclamen which in tu

  • prodigal

    Etymology The word prodigal is derived from the Latin word prodīgus which means wa

  • produce

    Etymology Middle English produce from Anglo Norman produire from Latin producere to

  • profane

    Etymology The word profane derives from the Latin profanus meaning outside the tem

  • profess

    Etymology The word professor originates from the Latin word professus which means

  • profile

    Etymology The word profile comes from the Italian word profilo which in turn is der

  • profit

    Etymology The word profit comes from the Latin word profectus meaning progress or

  • profound

    Etymology The word profound comes from the Latin word profundus which means deep o

  • profuse

    Etymology Middle English profus from Latin profusus past participle of profundere

  • project

    Etymology The word project originates from the Latin word projicere which means to

  • promise

    Etymology The word promise comes from the Old French word promesse which in turn de

  • prompt

    Etymology From Middle English prompte from Old French proute alteration influenced by

  • prone

    Etymology The word prone comes from the Latin word pronus meaning bending forward

  • proof

    Etymology and Meaning The word proof derives from the Middle English word prove whic

  • proper

    Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek word etymon which means tru

  • property

    Etymology The word property originates from the Old French word propreté which in

  • propinquity

    Etymology of propinquity The word propinquity originates from the Latin word propin

  • prophet

    Etymology Ancient Greek προφήτης prophētēs Latin propheta Meaning A

  • prose

    Etymology The word prose originates from the Latin word prosa which itself derives

  • prosthesis

    Etymology The word prosthesis comes from the Greek word πρόσθεσις prothesis

  • protagonist

    Etymology The word protagonist is derived from the Greek words protos meaning fir

  • Protean

    Etymology The word protean comes from the Greek adjective proteus meaning changing

  • protect

    Etymology The word protect comes from the Latin word protegere meaning to cover or s

  • protein

    Etymology The word protein comes from the Greek word prōtos meaning first or pr

  • Proterozoic

    Etymology From Late Latin Proterozoicus from Greek Proteros earlier Zoikos lif

  • protest

    Etymology The word protest comes from the Late Latin word protestari meaning to bea

  • proto

    Etymology The word proto is derived from the Greek word prōtos which means first

  • protocol

    Etymology The word protocol comes from the Greek word protokollon which means the f

  • proton

    Etymology The word proton comes from the Greek word πρωτόν prōton meaning

  • protoplasm

    Etymology Proto Greek First original plasm Greek Formed molded Meaning P

  • Protozoa

    Etymology Protozoa is derived from two Greek words Protos πρώτος meaning

  • proud

    Etymology Old English prūd prūde Proto Germanic prūdiz Proto Indo European prew

  • prove

    Etymology Origin Greek Meaning true word Meaning Noun The study of the histor

  • proverb

    Etymology The word proverb originates from the Latin word proverbium which means a

  • provide

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true sense

  • provoke

    Etymology The word provoke derives from the Latin verb provocare meaning to call fo

  • prow

    Etymology Prow is derived from the Old English word prōwa which ultimately comes f

  • prowess

    Etymology From Old French proesce proëce prowess valor from Vulgar Latin prodec

  • proximate

    Etymology The word proximate comes from the Latin word proximus meaning nearest o

  • Purana

    Etymology The word Purana is derived from the Sanskrit roots purva पूर्व

  • purchase

    Etymology Origin Old French purchaz Latin perquadrere to acquire Meaning T

  • purdah

    Etymology English purdah Persian parda curtain veil Meaning A system of seclu

  • reciprocal

    Etymology The word reciprocal is derived from the Latin word reciprocus which means

  • rapprochement

    Etymology French rapprochement Ultimately derived from Latin re back prope

  • reproach

    Etymology Middle English reprouchen from Old French reprochier from Late Latin reproba

  • reprove

    Etymology The word reprove comes from the Old French word reprover which in turn com

  • veneer

    Etymology Veneer originates from the Middle French word veneir which means to cover

  • solitude

    Etymology Latin solus alone solitary tudo suffix forming nouns denoting state

  • screen

    Etymology The word screen comes from the Old French word escran which in turn is de

  • segregation

    Etymology and Origin of Segregation The term segregation originates from the Latin word

  • social

    Meaning and Origin of Social Etymology Social etymology refers to the process by which wo

  • diligent

    Etymology Latin diligens present participle of diligere to love to appreciate to f

  • orange

    Etymology Late Middle English as an adjective from Old French orenge from orenge f

  • defenestration

    Etymology Latin defenestratio from de meaning down or out of and fenestra mea

  • apprehension

    Etymology Late Middle English in the sense act of arresting or seizing via Old

  • university

    Etymology The word university originates from the Latin word universitas which means