Dopattas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A traditional long scarf or shawl, often made of light fabric, worn draped over the shoulders or head, serving as a decorative or modest covering in South Asian attire
2. A piece of cloth typically used by women to complement outfits by wrapping around the head, neck, or shoulders, primarily found in cultural dress of regions like India and Pakistan
3. An accessory garment resembling a long scarf worn to provide modesty or style, commonly paired with ethnic dresses and characterized by its lightweight and ornamental nature

Etymology: "Dopattas" is the plural of "dopatta", a long, light scarf or shawl worn draped over the shoulders, traditionally by women in South Asia. The singular "dopatta" comes from Hindi-Urdu, where it is built from "do", meaning "two", and "patta", meaning "a piece" or "a strip" of cloth. The name points to the garment's original shape: a rectangle of fabric about two lengths of cloth wide, which is why the word is often glossed as "two-piece" or "two-strip."

Synonyms: scarves, shawls