seraglio

[ si-ral-yoh, -rahl- ]

noun

, plural se·ragl·ios.

1. the part of a Muslim house or palace in which the wives and concubines are secluded; harem.
2. a Turkish palace, especially of the sultan.

seraglio

/ -ˈreɪl; səˈraɪ; -ˈraɪl; sɛˈrɑːlɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. the harem of a Muslim house or palace
2. a sultan's palace, esp in the former Turkish empire
3. the wives and concubines of a Muslim

Word History and Origins

Origin of seraglio¹

1575–85; < Italian serraglio < Persian sarāy palace; sense development in Italian perhaps influenced by serrare to lock up

Word History and Origins

Origin of seraglio¹

C16: from Italian serraglio animal cage, from Medieval Latin serrāculum bolt, from Latin sera a door bar; associated also with Turkish seray palace

Example Sentences

“Is she original? Is she piquant? I would not exchange this one little English girl for the Grand Turk’s whole seraglio, gazelle-eyes, houri forms, and all!”

From Literature

But with the Prince Andrew imbroglio in the seraglio of Jeffrey Epstein, and with Harry’s run for the Hollywood Hills, it is clear that many in her family are not interested in moral authority.

From New York Times

Oft doth reason, enthroned in the pillowed seraglio of the brain, hang back; whereas the flesh, which must walk abroad in the streets, finds its own temerity.

From Literature

Decision-making sounds more like palace intrigues in a sultan’s seraglio than policy formulation in a republic.

From Seattle Times

“Old Joe’s Mormon seraglio” quickly became a stock phrase in the nation’s newspapers, despite the Saints’ heated denials.

From Salon