Word Meaning
अरबाब
arbāb
Meaning
Lords, masters, possessors, or people associated with a specific trait or craft.
Detailed Meaning
Arbāb is the Arabic broken plural of 'rabb' (lord or master), commonly signifying proprietors, patrons, or practitioners of something. In the given couplet, it appears in the izafat compound 'arbāb-e-riyā', referring to hypocrites or masters of deceit. The poet suggests that after his sharp-sighted gaze is gone, these deceivers can flourish without fear of exposure.
Etymology
Arabic: broken plural of 'rabb' (رَبّ), meaning lord, master, or possessor.
Usage
In classical Urdu ghazal, arbāb is widely used in izafat constructions like 'arbāb-e-nazar' (connoisseurs) or 'arbāb-e-riyā' (hypocrites) to categorize types of people.
Examples
Masters of eloquence gathered in the assembly.
People of discernment recognize the worth of pain.