“ The roofing is slanting and supported by pillars; a light rail or balustrade often surrounds it. The word in English is comparatively modern, having only been included by Todd in his edition of Johnson’s Dictionary in 1827. But it was known earlier in India, and the occurrence of the word in modern Hindustani (varanda) and Malayan (baranda) has led some etymologists to connect the word with the Persian barāmadan, to climb. It is, however, certainly of European origin, and was taken to the East by the early Portuguese navigators. ”