abaya

[ uh-bey-yuh ]

noun

1. a coarse, felted fabric woven of camel's or goat's hair.
2. a loose, sleeveless outer garment made of this fabric or of silk, worn by Arabs.

abaya

/ əˈbaɪə /

noun

1. a long black long-sleeved robe worn by Muslim women in Arabic-speaking countries, often with a headscarf or veil

Word History and Origins

Origin of abaya¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from Arabic ʿabā'(ah)

Word History and Origins

Origin of abaya¹

Arabic

Example Sentences

In spite of all these changes, the force of the state continued to impose the black abaya in public.

From The Daily Beast

The other change was in the symbolism of the abaya—its significance was no longer of a religious and social nature only.

From The Daily Beast

The black abaya and facial covering was imposed on all female government employees, and on schools and universities.

From The Daily Beast

The heavyset wife wears a black abaya, has facial tattoos and croaks harshly when she speaks.

From The Daily Beast

On asking the meaning of this occurrence, I was told that they were friends of Abaya and wished to talk with me.

From Project Gutenberg

Abaya, nothing loth, hastened to execute the order, hunting up the Negrito and aiming a terrific blow at him.

From Project Gutenberg

It inflicted a horrible wound, but he nevertheless ran away so fast that Abaya was unable to catch him and finish the job.

From Project Gutenberg

Abaya was one of a few men in Apayao who dared to descend to the lowlands.

From Project Gutenberg