Word Meaning
कम-नुमा
kam-numā
hiadjective
Meaning
Rarely visible; seldom appearing; elusive or shy.
Detailed Meaning
'Kam-numā' refers to someone who seldom reveals themselves or appears only rarely in public. In classical Urdu ghazals, it is a characteristic attribute of the beloved, who stays hidden behind the veil or remains aloof. In this couplet, it underscores the lover's perpetual state of waiting for a beloved who rarely shows their face.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'kam' (little, rare) and 'numā' (agentive suffix from 'namūdan', meaning to show or appear).
Usage
In classical ghazal poetry, it evokes the elusive and teasing nature of the beloved whose rare appearances intensify the lover's longing.
Examples
The fleeting glimpse of the elusive beloved
Tormented by longing for that seldom-seen face
Synonyms
कम-रूगोशा-नशीननादिर-उल-वुजूद
Related Words
नुमाइशनुमायाँदीदारपर्दानशीन