dharna

noun

dhar·na ˈdər-nə

ˈdär-

: a fast held at the door of an offender in India as an appeal for justice

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu dharnā, from Sanskrit dharaṇaṃ support, prop; akin to Latin firmus firm

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of dharna was in 1747

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Dharna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dharna. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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