bangle
UK[ˈbæŋɡl̩]US[ˈbæŋɡəl]
n
A rigid bracelet or anklet, often made of metal, glass, or plastic and worn for decoration.
Etymology
The word 'bangle' is a direct loanword from the Hindi term 'bangṛī', which refers specifically to a type of rigid glass ring worn as jewelry. This Hindi word is itself derived from the Sanskrit 'baṅgurī', also meaning a bracelet. The term entered the English lexicon during the British colonial period in India, reflecting the cultural exchange and adoption of local items and their names. Its journey from a specific regional ornament to a general English term for a rigid bracelet illustrates the process of linguistic borrowing and semantic broadening.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It entered English from Hindi 'bangṛī', meaning a glass ring or bracelet.
Examples
She wore a stack of colorful glass bangles on her wrist.
The gold bangle was an heirloom passed down through generations.
The dancer's movements were accentuated by the gentle clinking of her ankle bangles.