Meaning of harem in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈhɛrəm/

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  1. Noun

    harem

    Etymology

    mid 17th century: from Arabic ḥaram, ḥarīm, literally ‘prohibited, prohibited place’ (hence ‘sanctuary, women's quarters, women’), from ḥarama‘be prohibited’. Compare with haram

    Definitions

    1. living quarters reserved for wives and concubines and female relatives in a Muslim household

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