Word Meaning
ता-यक
ta-yak
hiprepositional phrase / adverb
Meaning
Up to one; even a single; to the extent of one.
Detailed Meaning
In Persianized Urdu poetic phrasing, 'ta-yak' functions as an adverbial or prepositional construct meaning 'up to one' or 'down to a single'. In this couplet, it combines with 'baal' (feather or wing) to express that even a single feather of the free bird of the soul was equivalent to hundreds of blooming rose-gardens before it became imprisoned in the mortal body.
Etymology
Persian compound composed of the preposition 'tā' (until, up to) and 'yak' (one).
Usage
Commonly used in Persian-influenced classical ghazals before singular nouns to highlight an absolute minimum measure or an extreme limit.
Examples
ta-yak nafas (for as long as a single breath)
ta-yak qatra (down to a single drop)
Synonyms
एक तकहत्ता-किसिर्फ़ एक
Related Words
ता-दमयक-बालता-कुजा