ghawazee

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A type of female dancer popular in Egypt in the 19th century, who danced in a style similar to the belly dance.

Pronunciation

/ɡəˈwɑːziː/

Word forms

ghawazee ghawazees

Etymology

From Arabic غَوَازٍ (ḡawāzin), the plural of غَازِيَة (ḡāziya), the feminine of غَازٍ (ḡāzin, “ghazi, raider, aggressor, conqueror”). The dancers were so called because they were said to "conquer" the hearts of their audience.

Related words

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