houri
1
9.9
A very beautiful woman often compared to the women of Paradise in Muslim stories
- noun
- /ˈhʊəri/
- Literature
:
houri
- Many stories depict the houri as a symbol of heavenly beauty waiting for the faithful.
Examples
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In his dreams, he often encountered a stunning houri who captivated him with her beauty.
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And the favorite houri of the monster warmed me with her languishing looks.
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The artist painted a portrait of a radiant houri, embodying the ideals of beauty and allure.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Houri comes from Arabic ḥūrīyah, the 'beautiful maidens' of 'paradise' known for their 'wide' eyes. That's why houri can also mean a woman who is 'very beautiful' or 'voluptuous' in stories and art.