zenana, n. & adj.

zenana
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zenana_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zenananoun & adjective

## Earlier version

- zenana in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word zenana mean?

There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word zenana. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the word zenana?

About 0.09occurrences per million words in modern written English

1780 | 0.033
1790 | 0.031
1800 | 0.036
1810 | 0.039
1820 | 0.063
1830 | 0.093
1840 | 0.13
1850 | 0.17
1860 | 0.22
1870 | 0.25
1880 | 0.26
1890 | 0.25
1900 | 0.24
1910 | 0.21
1920 | 0.16
1930 | 0.12
1940 | 0.095
1950 | 0.082
1960 | 0.077
1970 | 0.074
1980 | 0.082
1990 | 0.086
2000 | 0.092
2010 | 0.099

### How is the word zenana pronounced?

#### British English

/zᵻˈnɑːnə/
zuh-NAH-nuh

#### U.S. English

/zəˈnɑnə/
zuh-NAH-nuh

### Where does the word zenana come from?

Earliest known use

mid 1700s

The earliest known use of the word zenana is in the mid 1700s.

OED's earliest evidence for zenana is from 1761, in a letter by E. Coote.

zenana is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Urdu. Partly a borrowing from Persian.

Etymons: Urdu zanāna, Persian zanāna.

### Nearby entries

1. Zemblian, n. & adj. 1674–1796
2. zemi, n. 1555–
3. zemiistic, adj. 1907–
4. zemirah, n. 1767–
5. zemni, n. 1775–
6. Zemsky Sobor, n. 1877–
7. zemstvo, n. 1865–
8. zemstvoist, n. 1904–
9. Zen, n. & adj. 1727–
10. Zen, v. 1968–
11. zenana, n. & adj.1761–
12. zenana cloth, n. 1885–
13. Zen Buddhist, adj. & n. 1917–
14. Zend, n. & adj. 1700–
15. zendaletto, n. 1789–
16. Zend-Avesta, n. 1630–
17. Zend-Avestaic, adj. 1816
18. Zend-Avestan, adj. & n. 1871–
19. Zend-Avestic, adj. 1864–
20. Zendic, n. & adj. 1771–
21. Zendician, n. a1833–66

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Urdu. Partly a borrowing from Persian.
Etymons: Urdu zanāna, Persian zanāna.
< (i) Urdu zanāna women's quarters (pronounced with either /a/ or /æ/ in the first syllable),

and its etymon (ii) Indian Persian zanāna, in the same sense, use as noun of Persian zanāna womanly, feminine <…
< (i) Urdu zanāna women's quarters (pronounced with either /a/ or /æ/ in the first syllable),

and its etymon (ii) Indian Persian zanāna, in the same sense, use as noun of Persian zanāna womanly, feminine < zan woman (Middle Persian zan, cognate with Avestan ǰaini; < the same Indo-European base as Sanskrit jani woman: see quean n.) + ‑āna, suffix forming adjectives.

### Notes

The form jenana reflects a colloquial Urdu pronunciation.

## Meaning & use

1. noun
   1. 1.
      1761–
      Among some Muslim and Hindu communities, esp. in South Asia: an area in a house reserved for the use of the women of the household, access usually being prohibited to all adult men except close family members (cf. harem n. 1a). Also: the occupants of this area considered collectively; the female part of a household (cf. harem n. 2a).
      1. 1761

         > I asked him where the Nabob was? Who replied, he was asleep in his Zenana.

         E. Coote, Letter 17 July in H. Vansittart, Narrative of Transactions in Bengal 1760–4 (1766) vol. I. 245
      2. 1776

         > Sujah Dowlah..plundered all the goods..of Cossim Ally; he even infringed the rights of his Zenana.

         Trial of Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 66/2
      3. 1790

         > The Jenanas or Women's apartments of principal Natives.

         in H. Yule & A. C. Burnell, Hobson-Jobson (1886) (at cited word)
      4. 1816

         > Adjoining to the Chehel Sitoon is the harem; the term in Persia is applied to the establishments of the great, zenana is confined to those of the inferior people.

         J. Morier, Journey through Persia ix. 171
      5. 1881

         > The ladies of his zenana had been subject to great indignities.

         H. Hensman, Afghan War xix. 272
      6. 1894

         > It must not be supposed that Hindu ladies though living in the zenana do not exert any influence on the sterner sex.

         P. N. Bose, Hist. Hindu Civilisation during British Rule vol. I. iii. i. 114
      7. 1911

         > A female sanitary inspector was also appointed... Access is obtained in this manner to zenanas and their occupants.

         British Medical Journal 4 February 276/2
      8. 1948

         > Neither he nor his mother can stray far or frequently from the few rooms of the zenana.

         Southwestern Journal Anthropology vol. 4 134
      9. 1993

         > Only two old aunts..and the widow of his other brother—no-one else remained of that whole busy zenana.

         V. Seth, Suitable Boy (1994) v. 285
      10. 2015

          > While women are more evident in the more cosmopolitan cities of Islamabad and Lahore, in many parts of Pakistan they are almost invisible, rarely seen outside the zenana.

          Times (Nexis) 16 November 38
      1. seraglio 1581–
         The part of a Muslim dwelling-house (esp. of the palace of a sovereign or great noble) in which the women are secluded; the apartments reserved for…
      2. serail 1585–
         = seraglio, n. I.1.
      3. harem 1634–
         Esp. in the Ottoman Empire: the separate, private part of a house reserved for the women of the household, and access to which is prohibited to all…
      4. gynaeceum 1723–
         Ancient Greek History and Roman History. The women's apartments in a household; any building set apart for women.
      5. zenana 1761–
         Among some Muslim and Hindu communities, esp. in South Asia: an area in a house reserved for the use of the women of the household, access usually…
      6. serai 1813–
         Misused for seraglio, n. I.1: A harem.
      7. anderun 1818–
         In Iran (Persia): a private inner room or area of a house, esp. one used by the women of a family. Cf. zenana, n. A.1.
      8. haremlik?1850–
         = harem, n. 1a. Cf. selamlik, n.
      9. gynaeconitis 1855–
         The women's apartments in a household; = gynaeceum, n. 1.
      10. terem 1898–
          Secluded separate quarters for women.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.
      1890–
      Short for zenana cloth n. (a). Now rare.
      1. 1890

         > One of the prettiest jackets was made out of a length of pale blue zenana.

         Darlington (Indiana) Echo 7 February
      2. 1895

         > A cloth called ‘zenana’, which has the appearance of quilted silk lined with eiderdown.

         Penny Press (Mineapolis) 5 January 6/2
      3. 1900

         > A bolero of pale blue zenana.

         Westminster Gazette 6 December 2/2
      4. 1939

         > Zenana for gowns.

         Sun (Sydney) 7 May (Women's section) 40/1 (advertisement)
      textiles
      1. crisp 1397–1619
         Some thin or delicate textile fabric, used esp. by women for veils or head-coverings; ? a crape-like material. Cf. crisp, adj. I.3. Obsolete.
      2. peeling 1671–1798
         A thin silk fabric used as a dress material, originally imported to Britain from China in the late 17th cent.
      3. barége 1828–
         A light, silky dress-fabric, resembling gauze, originally made at Baréges.
      4. veil net 1841–
         a. (As a count noun) any of various types of accessory for the hair made from fine mesh or netting; spec. a hair net; b. (as a mass noun) light…
      5. Henrietta cloth 1842–
         A light twilled dress fabric typically woven from wool or from worsted and silk.
      6. Tibet 1857–
         Used attributively of wool obtained thence, or of cloth or garments made from this or in imitation of it; applied (usually thibet) to (a) a heavy…
      7. piuma 1858–
         A type of light fabric.
      8. crystalline 1867–
         A type of light silk fabric. Cf. sense A.5.
      9. fluff 1875–
         ? Soft feathery material for dress.
      10. nun's veiling 1882–
          A thin, light plain-weave fabric used for blouses and dresses; cf. nun's veil cloth, n.
      11. zenana cloth 1885–
          a. n. A light, though warm, quilted or matelassé fabric used for women's clothing, esp. for dressing gowns, tea gowns, and other informal garments…
      12. zenana 1890–
          Short for zenana cloth, n. (a). Now rare.
      13. voilette 1908–
          A kind of thin dress material.
      14. Palm Beach 1911–
          A proprietary name for: a kind of lightweight fabric used for clothing, used attributively in Palm Beach cloth, Palm Beach jacket, Palm Beach suit…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. adjective
   1. 1.
      1854–
      Of, for, or relating to a zenana or its occupants; (hence, more generally) relating to or intended for use by women only. Now chiefly historical.
      Originally with reference to evangelical, educational, and healthcare work carried out by female Christian missionaries in South Asia among women who practised purdah.
      1. 1854

         > Those..looking forward to taking part either in a zenana mission..or in similar institutions throughout the country.

         Bombay Times 20 December 4955/3
      2. 1863

         > A committee of ladies should be formed to carry out some scheme of zenana education.

         Evangelical Christendom 2 March 129/2
      3. 1876

         > This society was organized in 1834, and was the first Woman's Missionary Society in England 'to attempt zunána work in India, and to send forth teachers for Hindú and Múhammaden zunánas'.

         J. L. Hauser, Orient & its People iv. 72
      4. 1881

         > The Zenana missionary is met at the beginning of her work by just the same old inexorable customs, the same difficulties, the same woes.

         India's Women March 62
      5. 1949

         > Dr Glanville was formerly medical officer at Bermondsey medical mission hospital and at Zenana hospitals at Amritsar and Peshawar.

         Times 16 September 2/4
      6. 1985

         > Raja Din Dayal and Sons enterprisingly established a special Zenana Studio for Female Photography.

         S. C. Welch, India: Art & Culture 1300–1900 445
      7. 2015

         > Georgiana Smail..had, in December 1881, come out from Scotland to assist Mary Pigot in zenana work.

         R. Seton in J. Becker, European Missions in Contact Zones iv. 246
      historical
   2. 2.
      1882–
      Designating a light, though warm, quilted or matelassé fabric used for women’s clothing (see zenana cloth n.); made of this fabric. Now rare.
      1. 1882

         > For the spring trade, 1882... A nice assortment of the following..: Zenana sateens.

         Clarence & Richmond Examiner (Grafton, New South Wales) 22 August 3/3 (advertisement)
      2. 1896

         > For bedroom use, what could be better and prettier than those zenana silk gowns of Liberty's?

         To-day 5 December 159/1
      3. 1922

         > One of the new glossy zenana fabrics which are becoming so popular.

         Australasian (Melbourne) 2 December 1210/2
      4. 2001

         > Fond memories of curling up in a zenana dressing-gown.

         L. Fronty, Well-kept Home 111

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zᵻˈnɑːnə/
zuh-NAH-nuh

### U.S. English

/zəˈnɑnə/
zuh-NAH-nuh

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1700s
   jenana, zanannah, zinanah
2. 1700s–1800s
   zananah, zenanah
3. 1700s–
   zenana
4. 1800s
   zennanah, zunana
5. 1800s–
   zanana

## Frequency

zenana typically occurs about 0.09 times per million words in modern written English.

zenana is in frequency band 3, which contains words occurring between 0.01 and 0.1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zenana, n. & adj., 1780–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1780 | 0.033
1790 | 0.031
1800 | 0.036
1810 | 0.039
1820 | 0.063
1830 | 0.093
1840 | 0.13
1850 | 0.17
1860 | 0.22
1870 | 0.25
1880 | 0.26
1890 | 0.25
1900 | 0.24
1910 | 0.21
1920 | 0.16
1930 | 0.12
1940 | 0.095
1950 | 0.082
1960 | 0.077
1970 | 0.074
1980 | 0.082
1990 | 0.086
2000 | 0.092
2010 | 0.099

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zenana cloth, n. 1885–
   a. n. A light, though warm, quilted or matelassé…

1. C.1.
   1772–
   General attributive, as zenana door, zenana garden, zenana room, etc.
   1. 1772

      > One Ram Sonar..did then and there, with force, unlawfully and injuriously enter into his inward Zenána (or womens) apartments.

      W. Bolts, Considerations on India Affairs vol. I. ix. 96
   2. 1810

      > The zenanah apparel is given to him [sc. the doby] to wash, and to iron.

      T. Williamson, East India Vade-mecum vol. I. 244
   3. 1872

      > The influence of zenana society told upon his character.

      E. Braddon, Life in India iii. 57
   4. 1887

      > Zenana-rooms lay shamelessly open to the day.

      R. Kipling, Letters of Marque (1909) vol. I. iii. 22
   5. 1922

      > The few [attendants] that were left ranged themselves in two rows leading from the palanquin to the zenana door.

      Chatterbox 58/1
   6. 1983

      > Virtually uneducated, [the three girls]..were imprisoned in the zenana wing where they amused each other by inventing private languages.

      S. Rushdie, Shame i. i. 13
   7. 2012

      > Two young women appeared at the far side of the zenana gardens.

      V. Morrill, Formidable Fortune ii. 20
2. C.2.
   1. zenana cloth, n. 1885–
      a. n. A light, though warm, quilted or matelassé…

zenana, n. & adj. was revised in June 2018.

zenana, n. & adj. was last modified in December 2024.