ज़ख़्म-हा

Meaning

Wounds, multiple cuts, or injuries.

Detailed Meaning

Formed by adding the Persian plural suffix '-hā' to 'zakhm' (wound), it signifies a multitude of severe injuries or lacerations. In Ghalib's verse, it refers to the heart's countless wounds which thirstily consumed the keen edge ('water' or temper) of the slayer's sword. The term intensifies the motif of loving self-sacrifice and deep suffering.

Etymology

Persian: 'zakhm' (wound, stroke) + '-hā' (plural suffix for inanimate nouns).

Usage

Widely used in classical Persianate Urdu ghazals, especially in izafat constructs like 'zakhm-hā-e-dil', to emphasize an overwhelming abundance of pain.

Examples

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Related Words