Dictionary

berdache

noun ber·dache \bər-ˈdash\

Definition of BERDACHE

sometimes offensive
:  an American Indian who assumes the dress, social status, and role of the opposite sex
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of BERDACHE

American French, alteration of French bardache catamite, from Italian dialect (southern Italy) bardascio, from Arabic bardaj slave, from Persian bardag prisoner, from Middle Persian vartak
First Known Use: 1806

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: BereanPrevious Word in the Dictionary: BercyAll Words Near: berdache
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears