Word Meaning
नाख़ुन
naakhun
hinoun, masculine
Meaning
Nail, fingernail or toenail; claw.
Detailed Meaning
Literally referring to a fingernail or claw, 'naakhun' is a classic motif in Urdu poetry representing the scratching of wounds or the bodily site dyed red with henna or lover's blood. In this couplet, Ghalib laments that the beloved's nails, once constantly stained red by the lover's heart-blood, are now reduced to needing ordinary henna after his demise.
Etymology
Persian (ناخن, nāxun), cognate with Sanskrit नख (nakha) and English nail.
Usage
In classical Urdu ghazals, 'naakhun' regularly appears in imagery of scratching wounds in mad passion (naakhun-e-junoon) or being stained with blood.
Examples
The sharp nail that unraveled the wound of love
Fingernails dyed red with blood instead of henna
Synonyms
नखचंगुल
Related Words
हिनादस्तउँगलीख़ूँ