Kesh
/keɪʃ/noun
The Sikh practice or principle of keeping the hair naturally uncut.
Did you know?Kesh is one of the Five Ks of Sikhism, established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, and uncut hair is traditionally covered with a turban as an act of devotion and dignity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
keśa
“Hair, especially the hair of the head”
Middle Indo-Aryan
Prakrit
kesa
“Hair; a descendant form of Sanskrit keśa”
Medieval Punjabi
Punjabi
kes
“Uncut hair, particularly in a religious context”
17th Century
Punjabi
kesh
“The Sikh discipline of retaining hair naturally uncut”
Modern English
English
kesh
“The Sikh practice or principle of keeping the hair uncut”