Word Meaning
अफ़'ई
af'ee
Meaning
A viper, venomous serpent, or deadly snake.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'af'ee denotes an extremely venomous viper or deadly snake, serving as a potent symbol of lethal danger, torment, or terrifying hallucination. In Ghalib's couplet, the speaker's state of melancholy and panic (khafaqān) is so severe that even the benign shadow of a flowering branch is perceived as a menacing serpent. It illustrates how an afflicted mind transforms beauty and serenity into terrifying threats.
Etymology
Arabic (أَفْعَى, 'af'ā), denoting a viper or dangerous serpent.
Usage
Often invoked in ghazals to symbolize lethal dread, treacherous beloveds, or the serpentine coils of dark hair.
Examples
The tress of hair seemed like a coiled viper.
In every corner, fear fashioned a serpent out of shadows.