[ sɛ'rα:lɪəʊ , sɪ- ]
■ noun ( plural ~s )
1》 the women's apartments in a Muslim palace.
↘a harem.
2》 historical a Turkish palace, especially the Sultan's court and government offices at Constantinople.
Origin
C16: from Ital. serraglio , via Turk. from Pers. sarāy 'palace'.