Word Meaning
नाँतोवाँ
nā-tovāñ
hiadjective
Meaning
Weak, feeble, frail, powerless, or infirm.
Detailed Meaning
The word denotes physical feebleness, exhaustion, or lack of bodily strength, often describing an afflicted lover. In this couplet, 'lab-e-nā-tovāñ' refers to the parched, feeble, or dying lips of the languishing lover yearning for wine or life. It evokes extreme fragility born of longing and helplessness.
Etymology
Persian: composed of the negative prefix 'nā' (without, not) and 'tavān' (power, ability, strength).
Usage
Frequently deployed in classical Urdu poetry to dramatize the lover's extreme physical wasting away (ज़ो'फ़) caused by unrequited longing.
Examples
A sigh rose from these frail, trembling lips.
The body grew too feeble to bear the weight of sorrow.
Synonyms
कमज़ोरदुर्बलनहीफ़लाचार
Related Words
नातवानीतवानाईना-ताक़त