rangoli

[ ran-goh-lee ]

noun

1. a traditional Hindu decoration on a floor or other flat surface usually made of powder, such as colored or dyed sand, chalk, crushed limestone, or rice flour: A colorful geometric rangoli adorned the threshold.

   The arena in which the dance is performed is decorated with rangoli.

   A colorful geometric rangoli adorned the threshold.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rangoli¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from Marathi rãgoḷī, from Sanskrit raṅga “color” + āvali “line”