Word Meaning
ख़ामुशी
khāmushī
Meaning
Silence, quietude, stillness, or the state of being hushed.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu verse, this word denotes stillness, speechlessness, or profound silence. In Iqbal's couplet, the profound silence of Hijaz personifies a dormant yet pregnant state of anticipation that ultimately delivers a historic promise of awakening. It captures the paradox of silent eloquence, where stillness speaks louder than utterance.
Etymology
Persian (خامشی / خاموشی), derived from the Persian adjective 'khāmōsh' (silent, extinct) combined with the abstract noun suffix '-ī'.
Usage
In ghazal, khāmushī often contrasts with goyā'ī (eloquence) to represent unexpressed grief, mystical contemplation, or the inability of speech to capture profound truths.
Examples
Her silence held thousands of untold laments.
The desolate ruins were wrapped in deep silence.