Word Meaning
चम
cham
Meaning
Grace, coquetry, swagger, or curving gait; flirtatious elegance.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu poetics, 'cham' denotes gracefulness, coquettish airs, or an elegant, swaying gait. In the couplet, it occurs within the compound 'kham-o-cham' (curves and charms), signifying intricate allure and captivating gestures. It contrasts sharply with garden-like plainness to emphasize worldly fascination and seductive complexity.
Etymology
Persian (چم), meaning grace, twist, coquetry, or elegant gait.
Usage
In classical ghazals, 'cham' is almost exclusively paired with 'kham' as the hendiadys 'kham-o-cham' to portray the graceful twists of tresses or coquettish bodily movements.
Examples
Her swaying gait possessed an unmatched cham.
Entangled in the kham-o-cham of worldly illusions.