Meanings
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1
noun
in Islamic tradition, one of the beautiful companions of the blessed in Paradise
The poem describes a houri welcoming the faithful into a garden of Paradise.
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2
noun
a beautiful or alluring woman, in dated literary use
The novelist compared the dazzling dancer to a houri from an old romance.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Borrowed through French houri and Persian huri from Arabic huriyya, related to hur, a plural traditionally understood as beings distinguished by the striking contrast of dark irises and bright eyes. European literary use later broadened the word to an alluringly beautiful woman.