Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Language: Hindi
Origin: parda 'screen, veil'

purdah

 noun
     
Related topics: Islam
pur‧dah [uncountable]
1RRI the custom in some Muslim and Hindu societies in which women stay indoors or cover their faces so that men cannot see them
in purdah
The bride remains in purdah until the wedding.
2 a period of being alone, especially to keep something secret:
18 months of self-imposed purdah
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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