Definition of purdah
1 : seclusion of women from public observation among Muslims and some Hindus especially in India
2 : a state of seclusion or concealment
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Origin and Etymology of purdah
Hindi & Urdu parda, literally, screen, veil
First Known Use: 1865
PURDAH Defined for English Language Learners
purdah
play
noun
pur·dah
\ˈpər-də\
Definition of purdah for English Language Learners
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: a custom among Muslims and some Hindus in which women stay separate from men or keep their faces and bodies covered when they are near men
Learn More about purdah
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about purdah
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