abaya
UK[əˈbaɪ.ə]US[əˈbaɪ.ə]
n
a long, loose, usually black piece of clothing worn by some muslim women, covering the body from head to feet.
Etymology
the word 'abaya' entered english in the late 19th century as a direct borrowing from arabic 'ʿabāyah'. the arabic term itself is derived from the root 'ʿ-b-w' or 'ʿ-b-y', which carries a core sense related to clothing or a garment used for covering. as a cultural and religious garment, its name traveled with the item itself into the english lexicon. unlike many scientific terms, it was adopted whole, without adaptation into classical morphemes, to precisely denote this specific article of clothing from the arabian peninsula and surrounding regions.
Analysis
this word is a direct loanword from arabic, adopted into english as a single, unanalyzable unit in terms of latin or greek morphemes.
Examples
she wore a simple black abaya over her clothes.
the design of the abaya can vary from region to region, with different embroidery and sleeve styles.
many women choose to wear an abaya as an expression of modesty and cultural identity.