zenana
(zəˈnɑːnə)
Also 8–9 zananah, zenanah, zunana, (8 jenana), 9 zennanah, zanana.
[Hind. zenāna, zanāna, a. Pers. zanāna, f. zan woman (related to Gr. γυνή woman: see quean n.).]
1. In India and Persia, that part of a dwelling-house in which the women of a family are secluded; an East Indian harem.
| 1761 Coote in Vansittart Narr. Trans. Bengal (1766) I. 245, I asked him where the Nabob was? Who replied, he was asleep in his Zenana. 1776 Trial of Nundocomar 66/2 Sujah Dowlah..plundered all the goods..of Cossim Ally; he even infringed the rights of his Zenana. 1790 in Yule & Burnell Anglo-Ind. Gloss. s.v., The Jenanas or Women's apartments of principal Natives. 1889 G. Hooper Wellington ii. 45 He was disgusted with an order to search the zenana for treasure. |
2. (Also zenana-cloth.) A light thin fabric used for women's dresses.
| 1900 Westm. Gaz. 6 Dec. 2/2 A bolero of pale blue zenana. 1903 Daily Chron. 17 Jan. 8/4 Such combinations of wool and silk as Zenana cloth. |
3. attrib., esp. of missionary work carried on by Christian women among native women in India.
| 1810 T. Williamson E. Ind. Vade Mecum I. 244 The zenanah apparel is given to him [sc. the doby] to wash, and to iron. 1872 E. Braddon Life in India iii. 57 The influence of zenana society told upon his character. 1882 Cupples Mem. Mrs. Valentine ix. 146 For the purpose of assisting her to pursue Zenana-work when she returned to India. 1886 Yule & Burnell Anglo-Ind. Gloss. s.v., The growth of the admirable Zenana missions has of late years made this word more familiar in England. |