Word Meaning
आस्तीं
Aasteen
hinoun
Meaning
A sleeve; part of a garment covering the arm.
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu classical poetry, 'आस्तीं' refers to the sleeve of a garment, conventionally associated with wiping tears of sorrow or concealing secrets. In this couplet, it appears in the izafat compound 'अब्र-ए-आस्तीं' (cloud of the sleeve), symbolizing a sleeve raised to hide weeping eyes or soaked in tears like a rain-cloud.
Etymology
Persian (آستین - āstīn), meaning sleeve.
Usage
A common poetic motif employed either to depict extreme weeping (wiping tears with the sleeve) or betrayal and hidden enmity.
Examples
Daman-o-aasteen tar hona (the hem and sleeve being drenched with tears)
Aasteen mein khanjar chhipana (hiding a dagger in one's sleeve)
Synonyms
आस्तीनबाँहदस्ती
Related Words
दामनगिरेबाँचाकअब्र-ए-आस्तीं