Word Meaning
छपा
chhapā
hiverb
Meaning
Hidden, concealed; to hide or cover oneself.
Detailed Meaning
In this couplet, 'chhapā' functions in the conjunctive sense of 'chhapā ke' (hiding or concealing), an early Urdu/Dakani variant of 'chhipā/chhupā'. The speaker or beloved conceals their face within dark tresses, equating the spread of hair to the fall of night. It reflects an intimate play of modesty and romantic concealment.
Etymology
Prakrit छप्पइ (chhappai, 'to hide/conceal'), cognate with Old Indo-Aryan roots connected to concealment.
Usage
In classical ghazal, concealment of the face behind hair or a veil symbolizes both feminine bashfulness (hijāb) and mystical inaccessibility.
Examples
Hiding the glowing face in dark locks
Unable to conceal the sorrows of the heart
Synonyms
पोशीदानिहाँमख़्फ़ीगुप्त
Related Words
छिपनाछुपानाओझलपर्दा