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Hijab

3 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women, or the modest style of dress more generally

Where does the word "hijab" come from? It comes from Arabic hajaba, passing through Arabic before entering English (1906).

1
Stage 1 of 3
hajaba
Arabic · medieval
"to screen, conceal"
root meaning "to veil, to screen, to hide"
2
Stage 2 of 3
hijab
Arabic · medieval
"partition, veil, modesty"
named a partition, screen, or curtain, later the rules and practice of modest dress
3
Stage 3 of 3
hijab
English · 1906
"head covering, modest dress"
narrowed in English usage to the head covering worn by some Muslim women
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