purdah

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*pleh₂-“flat”
2. Classical Persian · derived fromپرده“curtain; screen; (archaic) veil”
3. Hindustani · borrowed from
4. English todaypurdah

Borrowed from Hindustani پردہ / पर्दा (pardā), and its etymon Classical Persian پرده (pardah, “curtain; screen; (archaic) veil”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- (“flat”). Doublet of patka.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from early 17th c. A curtain, especially one used in some Hindu or Muslim traditions to conceal women from the gaze of people, particularly men and strangers.
• from 20th c. A long veil or other attire covering most of the body, worn by women in some Muslim societies.
• from 19th c. The situation or system of secluding women from the gaze of people, particularly men and strangers, in some Muslim and Hindu traditions, by using a curtain or screen, and/or wearing a face veil or attire covering most of the body.
• from 20th c. Keeping apart; isolation, seclusion; also, concealment, secrecy.
• 19th c. A striped cotton cloth which is used to make curtains.