Word Meaning
काफ़
kaaf
hinoun
Meaning
The Arabic/Persian letter 'kāf' (K); also refers to Mount Qaf.
Detailed Meaning
In this couplet, 'kaaf' refers specifically to the initial letter 'kāf' (ک) of the word 'karam' (generosity). Ghalib employs a brilliant calligraphic conceit with the word 'kashish', which means both magnetic attraction/pull and the drawn horizontal stroke of the letter 'kāf' in nastaliq script. Thus, the traveler's elongated pathway is visualized as the generous extending stroke of the letter 'kāf'.
Etymology
Arabic kāf (ك), the 22nd letter of the Arabic and 25th of the Persian/Urdu alphabets.
Usage
In Urdu ghazal, 'kaaf' is famously used in calligraphic conceits or confused homophonously with Mount Qaf (कोह-ए-क़ाफ़).
Examples
kashish-e-kaaf-e-karam
harf-e-kaaf
Synonyms
हर्फ़-ए-काफ़अक्षर काफ़
Related Words
कशिशकरमख़तक़ाफ़