purdah

/ˈpɜrdə/
noun
  1. The practice in some Muslim and Hindu societies of keeping women in seclusion, often by covering their bodies or staying in separate parts of a home, away from men who are not family members.
    • In some regions, women observe purdah by wearing a veil in public.
    • She grew up in a family that followed strict purdah, limiting her interactions with men outside the home.
    • The custom of purdah has been practiced for centuries in parts of South Asia.
  2. A state of being hidden or isolated from public view or activity.
    • The company kept its new product in purdah until the official launch.
    • After the election, the candidate went into purdah to avoid media questions.
    • The celebrity lived in purdah for months after the scandal.
What does "purdah" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean