purdah

/'pə:dɑ:/

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Word: Purdah

Part of Speech: Noun

Simple Explanation:

"Purdah" is a word that refers to a way of keeping women separate from men and strangers. This can be done using a screen or curtain, or it can mean a social practice where women stay away from public places. It is often associated with certain cultures, particularly in some Hindu and Muslim communities.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "purdah" when discussing cultural practices or traditions related to gender separation.
• It is often used in the context of social customs or religious practices.

Example Sentence:

"In some families, women observe purdah by staying in separate rooms or wearing special clothes when men visit."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, "purdah" can be used to analyze gender roles in society, cultural traditions, and the impact of such practices on women's rights. For example: "The concept of purdah can be seen as both a protective measure and a restriction on women's freedom."

Word Variants:

• Purdah system: Refers to the entire practice or system of maintaining purdah.
• Purdah-clad: An adjective describing women who wear purdah.

Different Meanings:

1. Cultural Meaning: The practice of secluding women from men, often through physical barriers or social customs.
2. Political Meaning: In some contexts, "purdah" can refer to a period during political campaigns when certain activities are restricted.

Synonyms:

• Seclusion
• Isolation
• Segregation (in a broader sense)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "purdah" does not have idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with it, you might encounter phrases like "behind the veil," which metaphorically relates to the idea of separation or hidden aspects of life.

Summary:

"Purdah" is a noun that describes the separation of women from men and the social customs associated with this practice.

Academic

Noun

1. a screen used in India to separate women from men or strangers
2. the traditional Hindu or Muslim system of keeping women secluded
3. a state of social isolation

Synonyms

• sex segregation
• solitude