Word Meaning
इताब
itāb
Meaning
Anger, wrath, rebuke, displeasure, or reprimand.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, itāb denotes the beloved's anger, displeasure, or indignation directed toward the lover. In this couplet, the speaker begs that even if the beloved does not reveal their face kindly, they should at least unveil their eyes in an expression of wrath (ba-andāz-e-itāb). For the lover, even the beloved's fierce reproach is precious because it confirms attention over total indifference.
Etymology
Arabic (عِتَاب), from the triconsonantal root ‘-t-b denoting reproach, reprimand, or blame.
Usage
In the ghazal, the lover often actively solicits the beloved's itāb because even furious attention is preferable to absolute neglect.
Examples
a glance filled with wrath
to become the target of displeasure