Also 8–9 zananah, zenanah, zunana, (8 jenana), 9 zennanah, zanana. [Hind. zenāna, zanāna, a. Pers. zanāna, f. zan woman (related to Gr. γυνή woman: see QUEAN sb.).]
1. In India and Persia, that part of a dwelling-house in which the women of a family are secluded; an East Indian harem.
1761. Coote, in Vansittart, Narr. Trans. Bengal (1766), I. 245. I asked him where the Nabob was? Who replied, he was asleep in his Zenana.
1776. Trial of Nundocomar, 66/2. Sujah Dowlah … plundered all the goods … of Cossim Ally; he even infringed the rights of his Zenana.
1790. in Yule & Burnell, Anglo-Ind. Gloss., s.v. The Jenanas or Women’s apartments of principal Natives.
1889. G. Hooper, Wellington, ii. 45. He was disgusted with an order to search the zenana for treasure.
2. (Also zenana-cloth.) A light thin fabric used for women’s dresses.
1900. Westm. Gaz., 6 Dec., 2/2. A bolero of pale blue zenana.
1903. Daily Chron., 17 Jan., 8/4. Such combinations of wool and silk as Zenana cloth.
3. attrib., esp. of missionary work carried on by Christian women among native women in India.
1810. T. Williamson, E. Ind. Vade Mecum, I. 244. The zenanah apparel is given to him [sc. the doby] to wash, and to iron.
1872. E. Braddon, Life in India, iii. 57. The influence of zenana society told upon his character.
1882. Cupples, Mem. Mrs. Valentine, ix. 146. For the purpose of assisting her to pursue Zenana-work when she returned to India.
1886. Yule & Burnell, Anglo-Ind. Gloss., s.v. The growth of the admirable Zenana missions has of late years made this word more familiar in England.
