English Dictionary

purdah

/ˈpɜːdə/

noun

(countable, chiefly South Asia, also figuratively) A curtain, especially one used in some Hindu or Muslim traditions to conceal women from the gaze of people, particularly men and strangers.

She wore a purdah to cover her face.

意味（1）

(countable, chiefly South Asia, also figuratively) A curtain, especially one used in some Hindu or Muslim traditions to conceal women from the gaze of people, particularly men and strangers.

As she passed through the dining-room she heard, behind the purdah that cloaked the drawing-room door, her husband's voice, […]

意味（2）

(countable) A long veil or other attire covering most of the body, worn by women in some Muslim societies.

意味（3）

(uncountable) 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.

He was won by her love for him, by a loyalty that implied something more than submission, and by her efforts to educate herself against that lifting of the purdah that would come in the next generation if not in theirs.

意味（4）

(uncountable, figuratively) Keeping apart; isolation, seclusion; also, concealment, secrecy.

The diagnosis of Kit's malady was soon verified, and Fleur went into purdah.

意味（5）

(countable, UK politics, potentially offensive) The period between the announcement of an election or referendum and its conclusion, during which civil servants refrain from making policy announcements or taking actions that could be seen as advantageous to certain candidates in the election.

Today the term [purdah] is used in British politics to describe the period in which civil servants must operate with political neutrality before an upcoming General Election. They are prevented from signing off new policy or making proactive announcements, and instead go into planning mode to try and prepare for the election's outcome. The purdah period for the December 12 election began today.

意味（6）

(uncountable, obsolete, rare) A striped cotton cloth which is used to make curtains.