pagoda

/pəˈɡoʊ.də/

Etymology

From Portuguese pagode (“Hindu temple, Hindu idol, pagoda coin”), from any of various Dravidian languages' words of respectful address to Hindu gods and idols and their temples, including Malayalam പകോതി (pakōti, “Durga temple”), Kannada, and Tamil பகவதி (pakavati, “Durga, Parvati”), possibly corrupted under the influence of Portuguese pagão (“pagan”), all ultimately from Sanskrit भगवती (bhagavatī, “Holy One, used for goddesses”). Previously but mistakenly connected with various other languages from Persia to China.

pagoda means A Hindu temple. Lexicurio rates it Distinctive — a strength score of 65 out of 100.

noun

A Hindu temple.“This King of Calycut was a Bramene, as others his Predeceſſours alſo were, which amongſt the Malabars are Prieſts, and for that it is a cuſtome and anncient order obſerved, that all the Kings doe dye in one Pagode, which is the houſe of praiers to their Idolls...”
A tall building in an Indian, Burmese, or Thai style erected at Hindu or Buddhist temples in South and Southeast Asia, a stupa surmounted with a high point.
A multi-storey tower in a Chinese style used in various contexts across East Asia and Nepal, usually with upturned curving roofs above each storey.“He declared he would ascend the highest pinnacle of the highest pagod in Japan.”
A unit of currency, a coin made of gold or half gold, issued by various dynasties and colonial powers in southern India.“[T]he Mahrattas having offered Alimerdy Khan his liberty for a lak of Pagodas; he does in the Nabob's name desire that the Governor of Madras would receive jewels and money to that amount into his custody, […]”