purdah

American  

[pur-duh] / ˈpɜr də /

Or purda,

noun

1. the seclusion of women from the sight of men or strangers, practiced by some Muslims and Hindus.

2. a screen, curtain, or veil used for this purpose.

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purdah British  

/ ˈpɜːdə /

noun

1. the custom in some Muslim and Hindu communities of keeping women in seclusion, with clothing that conceals them completely when they go out

2. a screen in a Hindu house used to keep the women out of view

3. a veil worn by Hindu women of high caste

4. informal hiding or isolation

   the Treasury is currently locked in pre-budget purdah

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Etymology

Origin of purdah

1790–1800; < Hindi, Urdu pardah curtain < Persian

Example Sentences

"My intention would not be to stay right up until polling day because purdah will kick in and there will be other stages as well," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2024

That doesn’t mean they should enter a state of purdah, curtail all encounters with the opposite sex, strike friends bearing proscribed genitalia from their address book and only make single-sex social engagements.

From The Guardian • Oct. 20, 2019

Nevertheless, purdah rules could limit the government's ability to make last-minute preparations for a no deal departure.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2019

The self-styled protector was in purdah and he resented it.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2019

I had seen these women nearly every day of my life observing the code of purdah, where they cover themselves in public.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai