Burqas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A loose-fitting garment worn by some Muslim women to cover the body and face in public, reflecting cultural and religious practices
2. A full-body covering that conceals the wearer's figure and features, often associated with modesty in Islamic tradition
3. A type of veil that allows for limited visibility while ensuring the wearer remains fully covered, commonly seen in various cultural contexts

Etymology: "Burqas" is simply the plural of "burqa," so the story belongs to the singular. The word reached English from Hindustani, the language spoken across much of northern India and Pakistan, where it appears as "burqā" in Hindi and "burqa'" in Urdu. Those forms trace back to Classical Persian, where the word was written "burqa'," and before that to Arabic, where it was "burquʕ," a term for a face covering. The Arabic word passed through Persian and the languages of South Asia before arriving in English, which is why its spelling and sound differ from Arabic. The garment it names is worn across several cultures, so the word has traveled as far as the clothing itself.

Synonyms: veil, chador, niqab, hijab, abaya