दम-दार

Meaning

Sharp-edged, well-tempered, or potent; possessing a keen edge or vitality.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Urdu and Persian verse, 'dam-dār' primarily characterizes a blade endowed with a fine temper, keen edge, or lethal cutting power. In this couplet, it describes the tempered, deadly luster ('aab-e-tegh') of the beloved's sword, which the naive lover misinterprets as life-giving, palatable water ('aab-e-gawara'). The term masterfully exploits the dual meaning of 'dam' as breath/life and the edge/temper of steel.

Etymology

Persian: 'dam' (breath, edge/temper of a blade) + '-dār' (suffix denoting possession).

Usage

Commonly used in ghazal poetry for clever wordplay between 'dam' as mortal breath and the fatal sharpness of the beloved's sword.

Examples

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