achkan

[ ach-kuhn ]

noun

1. a close-fitting, high-necked coat, slightly flared below the waist and reaching almost to the knee, worn by men in India.

Word History and Origins

Origin of achkan¹

First recorded in 1910–15, achkan is from the Hindi word ackan

Example Sentences

Imran wore a gold-colored achkan, a knee-length coat for formal occasions, and white pants, called salwar.

From Washington Times

General Assembly, from Broadway's Camelot to California's Disneyland, Nehru's crowded schedule barely left him time to change the perennial red rose on his achkan tunic.

From Time Magazine Archive

But along his word-strewn way he shook a multitude of hands, graced a dozen receptions, closeted himself a dozen times with dozens of officials, dined with Eleanor Roosevelt, lunched with Dag Hammarskjold, raised his goblet of orange juice in dozens of toasts, changed the tiny, ubiquitous rose in his ubiquitous achkan dozens of times.

From Time Magazine Archive

By the time the press was through with Columbia's newest doctor�who wore a black wool achkan under his academic gown�Nehru was as wilted as the red rose in his buttonhole.

From Time Magazine Archive

He was dressed in the usual upcountry Indian style, in a long coat or Achkan which reached well below his knees and fluttered in the breeze.

From Project Gutenberg