Nikabs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A piece of clothing worn by some Muslim women that covers the face leaving only the eyes visible ; can also refer to garments that serve as face veils for cultural or religious modesty ; denotes a veil used to obscure facial features in compliance with certain interpretations of modesty norms
2. A facial covering traditionally donned over the head to conceal all or part of the face except the eyes for religious or cultural reasons ; includes various types of veils used to maintain privacy and modest dress among women ; represents a form of attire associated with specific customs involving veiling of the face
3. Clothing item primarily designed to shield the face leaving only the eyes uncovered as part of Islamic dress codes ; employed to fulfill modesty rules by concealing facial identity ; worn in diverse Muslim communities as a symbol of cultural and religious observance regarding modesty and privacy

Etymology: The plural "nikabs" simply follows the singular "nikab," which is the form English uses for the face veil worn by some Muslim women, typically leaving only the eyes visible. Borrowed from Arabic, the singular comes from "niqāb," a word meaning "veil" that is related to the verb "naqaba," to pierce or perforate, a sense that points to the small openings or eye-slits such a veil provides. Because English adopted the term relatively recently, its spelling and pronunciation vary across sources, and many dictionaries list both "niqab" and "nikab." The plural form appears wherever speakers discuss more than one such garment, as in reports about legislation or fashion, and it is formed by the usual English addition of "-s."

Synonyms: face veils, full veils