Hijra

Multiple Entries:
  Hijra    hijra    Hegira  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
Hijra /ˈhɪdʒrə/

▶noun variant spelling of Hegira.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
hijra /ˈhɪdʒrə/

▶noun Indian a transvestite or eunuch.

– origin from Hindi.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
Hegira /ˈhɛdʒɪrə/ (also Hejira or Hijra)

▶noun

• 1 the departure of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in ad 622, marking the consolidation of the first Muslim community.

  ■ the Muslim era reckoned from this date.

• 2 (hegira) an exodus or migration.

– origin via med. L. from Arab. hijra ‘departure’.