1. a screen, curtain, or veil worn by some Muslim and Hindu women to conceal the face and body from public view
Usage: also spelled 'purda'; from Hindi/Urdu purdā
2. the practice or system of screening women from public view in some South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures
Usage: cultural/historical term

Examples

• In some traditional households, women observed purdah as part of their cultural practice.
• The purdah was made of fine silk and decorated with intricate embroidery.
• Historical accounts describe the purdah system as a way to maintain family honor.
• She wore a purdah when traveling through the city.
• The practice of purdah varies widely across different regions and communities.