See Also: purdah(dictionary)
purdah(encyclopedia)
purdah(dictionary)

purdah (iou)



purdah noun. E19.
[Persian & Urdu parda veil, curtain.]
1. In the Indian subcontinent and SE Asia, a curtain, a veil; esp. one used to screen women from men or strangers. E19.
2. A system in certain Muslim and Hindu societies, esp. in the Indian subcontinent, of screening women from men or strangers by means of a veil or curtain. M19.
b. transf. Seclusion; (medical) isolation or quarantine; secrecy. Chiefly in in purdah, into purdah, out of purdah. E20.
Comb.: purdah glass opaque glass; purdah party a party held for purdah women; purdah woman a woman wearing a purdah or conforming to the system of purdah.
purdahed adjective screened by (a) purdah; transf. secluded, secret: M19.