नक़्क़ाब

Meaning

A housebreaker, sapper, or one who breaches walls to reveal secrets.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Urdu lexicography, 'naqqāb' is an intensive agent noun denoting a housebreaker or sapper who excavates or breaches a wall (naqb). In Ghalib's couplet, the poet's acute insight is depicted as a burglar that pierces the secret recesses of hypocrites' hearts. Having exposed their hidden deceits in life, his passing leaves those hypocrites to live without fear.

Etymology

Arabic, derived from the triconsonantal root n-q-b (ن-ق-ب), relating to perforating, boring a hole, or tunneling.

Usage

In classical ghazal poetry, it is used metaphorically for a piercing gaze or sharp intellect that breaks into concealed truths.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words