A curtain, especially as used to conceal and divide women from men and strangers in some Hindu or Muslim traditions
As she passed through the dining-room, she heard, behind the purdah that cloaked the drawing-room door, her husband's voice .
The period after plans have been prepared but before the Chancellor of the Exchequer's annual budget is announced, when he refrains from discussing any matters which have relevance to the forthcoming budget
The time between the announcement and holding of an election, during which any governmental activities that may be construed as potentially benefiting or promoting a specific political party or prospective candidate are halted or suspended
The state or system of social gender seclusion in some Muslim or Hindu communities
a screen used in India to separate women from men or strangers the traditional Hindu or Muslim system of keeping women secluded
Purdah is a custom practised in some Muslim and Hindu societies, in which women either remain in a special part of the house or cover their faces and bodies to avoid being seen by men who are not related to them. If a woman is in purdah, she lives according to this custom. Seclusion of women from public observation by means of concealing clothing (including the veil) and walled enclosures as well as screens and curtains within the home. The custom seems to have originated in Persia and was adopted by Muslims during the Arab conquest of what is now Iraq in the 7th century. The Muslim domination of northern India led to its adoption by the Hindu upper classes, but it was discarded by Hindus after the end of British rule in India. The custom of purdah still continues in many Islamic countries
the period after plans have been prepared but before the Chancellor of the Exchequers annual budget is announced, when he refrains from discussing any matters which have relevance to the forthcoming budget
{i} veil worn by women to keep them out of the sight of men; screen or divider used to separate men from women
a screen used to conceal and divide women from men and strangers in Hindu or Muslim traditions