pur‧dah /ˈpɜːdə, -dɑː $ ˈpɜːr-/ noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1800-1900; Language: Hindi; Origin: parda 'screen, veil']

1. the custom in some Muslim and Hindu societies in which women stay indoors or cover their faces so that men cannot see them
in purdah
The bride remains in purdah until the wedding.

2. a period of being alone, especially to keep something secret:
18 months of self-imposed purdah

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲