Harem
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From Arabic harIm (literally something forbidden) and haram (literally a sanctuary)
In [Turkey], [Persia], and other areas of the [Middle East], the harem was a section of a [palace] where the women of the palace lived. Contrary to popular belief, the harem was not a [brothel]; thats simply a Western viewpoint. The harem did house the wives (and sometimes [concubine]s) of the Shah, but his female relatives also lived there.
Still, there are many cases where a group of females linked sexually to one male (or males linked to one female) is referred to as a harem. -
Harem (Turkish, from Arabic حرم ḥaram forbidden place; sacrosanct, sanctum, related to حريم ḥarīm a sacred inviolable place; female members of the family and حرام ḥarām, forbidden; sacred) refers to the sphere of women in a usually polygynous household and their quarters which is enclosed and forbidden to men. It originated in the Near East and came to the Western world via the Ottoman Empire.
The term serraglio (Italian from Persian sarāy palace, enclosed courts) carries a similar meaning.
In modern colloquial (and humorous) English, harem may denote a number of female followers of a charismatic man.
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(n.) 1630s, from Turkish harem, from Arabic haram wives and concubines, originally womens quarters, literally something forbidden or kept safe, from root of harama he guarded, forbade.
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To quote someone who knows what theyre talking about:
From Arabic harIm (literally something forbidden) and haram (literally a sanctuary)
Although its original meaning was the part of a household reserved for females - including perhaps a mans mother, sisters, and daughters, as well as wife or wives - it is commonly used to mean a group of more than one woman who are all available sexually to a single man. This situation is Polygyny (multiple women.) Sometimes it also refers to a group of men who are available to a single woman. This situation is Polyandry (multiple men.) Either may be called Polygamy (multiple marriage.)
People who think it derives from Latin dont know what theyre talking about, which is no great crime - no one knows everything. People who think it derives from Latin and say so on a public forum like this not only dont know that they dont know what theyre talking about, but are displaying and perpetuating their ignorance. -
a bunch of girls that you controle
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What you say when you see a hot girl/guy who youd put in your harem - implies superficial attraction but not wanting to go for long term.
Obviously a reference to the Arabic حرم ḥaram forbidden place; sacrosanct, sanctum: a place where female members of a polygamous wealthy family would reside. And be fucked at the husbands leisure. Similar to a seraglio. -
(n.) a [back in the day] term for a [stable] full o bitches.
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The apartments or portion of the house allotted to females
in Mohammedan families. -
A group of females of three or more who are loose moral whores and only like dick and MAC beauty products. They walk together in groups and go into stores like [Juicy Couture] and PINK by [Victoria Secret]. They can be caught wearing tight yoga pants (even though they dont do yoga), lacey bras with sheer lacey shirts, too much makeup, [Jeggings], and regular tans. If you see one of these, dont be afraid to call out Harem. They can be seen on multiple campuses across the nation of the United States.
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(in former times) the separate part of a Muslim household reserved for wives, concubines, and female servants.
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