harem
|ha-rem|
/ˈhærəm/
women's private/forbidden quarters
Etymology
'harem' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'ḥarīm' or 'haram', where 'ḥarīm/haram' meant 'forbidden' or 'sanctuary/inviolable'.
'harem' changed from Arabic 'ḥarīm' into Ottoman Turkish ('haremlik'/'harem'), passed into European languages (e.g., French 'harem') and entered English usage from the 17th century onward.
Initially, it meant 'a forbidden or inviolable place'; over time it came to mean specifically 'the women's quarters' in a household and later extended figuratively to mean a group of women associated with one man and to zoological groupings.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the separate part of a Muslim household reserved for the wives, concubines, and female relatives of the family, especially in historical contexts (e.g., the Ottoman Empire).
Visitors were not allowed to enter the sultan's harem.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a group of women associated with one man; a man's female companions or admirers (used figuratively, often with a disapproving or humorous tone).
The actor arrived at the party with a harem of young fans.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/12 09:43