Harem
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The private part of an Arab household. In traditional Arab culture, this part of the household was forbidden to male strangers. A group of women, wives and/or concubines in a polygamous household. A group of female animals (cows) herded and controlled by a male animal (bull) of that species for breeding purposes. Such behaviour is exhibited by bovids including cattle and buffalo as well as moose, elephants, seals, sea lions, sea elephants.
Example sentence: While Muslim men describe themselves as insecure in their harems, real or imagined, Westerners describe themselves as self-assured heroes with no fears of women. The tragic dimension so present in Muslim harems - fear of women and male self-doubt - is missing in the Western harem.
Seraglio
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The palace of the Grand Seignior in Constantinople.The sequestered living quarters used by wives and concubines in a Turkish Muslim household.A brothel or place of debauchery.An interior cage or enclosed courtyard for keeping wild beasts.