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Today it means

abaya

a loose, full-length outer garment worn by some Muslim women

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Where does the word "abaya" come from? It comes from Arabic 'abaya, and was adopted directly into English (1856).

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Where does the word "abaya" come from? It comes from Arabic 'abaya, and was adopted directly into English (1856).

Abaya’s story begins in Arabic: 'abaya meant “cloak, mantle.” Named a loose cloak or mantle worn over other clothing. It reached English by 1856 as abaya. Entered English through travel and trade accounts of the Middle East. Today, abaya means a loose, full-length outer garment worn by some Muslim women.

  1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval 'abaya "cloak, mantle", named a loose cloak or mantle worn over other clothing.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1856 abaya "loose full-length outer garment", entered English through travel and trade accounts of the Middle East.

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