jilbab, n.
Brit. /dʒɪlˈbɑːb/, /ˈdʒɪlbab/, U.S. /dʒɪlˈbɑb/, /ˈdʒɪlˌbæb/
unchanged, -s
Forms: 19– jilbaab, 19– jilbab
[‹ Persian jilbāb < Arabic jilbāb garment, dress, gown, veil.]
A body-length outer garment, traditionally covering the head and hands, worn esp. by Arab Muslim women.
| 1972 Mazhar-ul-Haq Khan Purdah & Polygamy 29 The women used to put on jilbab or over-garment, drawn over the face to ward off the excited eyes of some miscreant, as required by the Quran. 1990 Middle East Rep. May 28/2 Now that the imposition of the headscarf has been accomplished, a new goal seems to have been set: the imposition of the jilbaab (full-length dress or coat). 1993 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 6 Apr. 8 A government ban on high school students' wearing of jilbabs was repealed. 2004 Times (Nexis) 19 June 27 The jilbab is not about religious faith, it is about culture, a particular, repressive culture which denies women employment, education, and equality under the law. |