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Glite Dictionary
houdah

houdah

9.9
A covered seat on a camel or elephant used for riding in ceremonies
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : howdah
  • The maharaja waved from his houdah atop the royal elephant during the parade.

Examples

  • Photographs from the expedition show a grand houdah decorated with intricate gold embroidery.

  • They mounted the houdah at sunrise, ready for the long journey across the desert.

  • A houdah is used for riding.

  • The houdah was a magnificent sight during the festival.

  • The maharaja waved from his houdah atop the royal elephant during the parade.

  • Photographs from the expedition show a grand houdah decorated with intricate gold embroidery.

  • They mounted the houdah at sunrise, ready for the long journey across the desert.

Synonyms

howdah
vshoudah
1 9.9

A covered seat on an elephant or camel for people to ride

is used especially in the Middle East and South Asia rather than Southeast Asia

How Ornate

houdah
  • UK
9.9
saddle
80 1.3

Surface Forms

houdah singular
houdahs plural

Etymology

Houdah comes from India, from the Hindi and Urdu word howdah meaning 'seat'. Think of it as a decorated 'chair' placed on the back of an elephant or camel for riding, and that is why houdah means a covered or canopied seat on these animals.