Djibbah

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A traditional loose, lightweight garment typically worn in parts of the Middle East and North Africa that covers the body fully but loosely for comfort and modesty
2. An outer robe or cloak characterized by its flowing and airy design, mainly used as customary attire in certain Islamic cultures
3. A long, roomy piece of clothing commonly worn over other garments to provide modest covering and ease of movement in warm climates

Etymology: "Djibbah" is an alternative spelling of "jubbah," a long, loose robe worn in parts of the Arab world. English borrowed the word from Arabic "jubba," and the spelling "djibbah" reflects a transliteration that puts the initial sound closer to a hard "j" with a vowel that English readers would pronounce differently. The word has a curious sibling in English. "Jupe," a term for a woman's skirt or bodice, is a doublet of "jubbah," meaning the two words descend from the same source but reached English by different routes. "Jupe" came through French, while "jubbah" came directly from Arabic, so the two ended up as separate words with related histories and very different uses.

Synonyms: jubbah, robe, cloak, gown, garment