suttee

noun

sut·​tee (ˌ)sə-ˈtē How to pronounce suttee (audio)
ˈsə-ˌtē
variants or less commonly sati
: the act or custom of a Hindu widow burning herself to death or being burned to death on the funeral pyre of her husband
also : a woman burned to death in this way

Word History

Etymology

Hindi satī wife who performs suttee, from Sanskrit, devoted woman, from feminine of sat true, good; akin to Old English sōth true — more at sooth

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suttee was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near suttee

sutra

suttee

Sutter

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Suttee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suttee. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about suttee

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