caravanserai
pronunciation
How to pronounce caravanserai in British English:
UK [ˌkærəˈvænsəraɪ; ˌkærəˈvænsəri]
How to pronounce caravanserai in American English:
US [ ˌkærəˈvænsəraɪ,ˌkærəˈvænsəri]
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- Noun:
- an inn in some Eastern countries with a large courtyard that provides accommodation for caravans
Word Origin
- caravanserai (n.)
- 1590s, carvanzara, "Eastern inn (with a large central court) catering to caravans," ultimately from Persian karwan-sarai, from karwan (see caravan) + sara'i "palace, mansion; inn," from Iranian base *thraya- "to protect" (see seraglio).
Example
- 1. He stayed in a caravanserai for the night .
- 2. We walk out of the caravanserai and make our way past the money changers with their bulging pockets .
- 3. You may find yourself in some ancient caravanserai where traders rested their animals .
- 4. Serai mushir is a string of souvenir shops that started life as a caravanserai , a pit-stop for weary travellers and their camels .
- 5. We start in the caravanserai ( traditional roadside inn ) , its courtyard once full of camels laden with silks and spices but today transformed into a dull , roofed market depot .