Word Meaning
बैत-बहसी
bait-bahasi
Meaning
Poetic contest; debate or verbal duel through recitation of verses.
Detailed Meaning
A compound formed from 'bait' (verse or couplet) and 'bahasi' (argumentation or debate), signifying a poetic duel or contest of verses akin to bait-baazi. In this couplet, the speaker playfully challenges the nightingale to think twice before engaging in a battle of verses, claiming unmatched eloquence and rhetorical skill.
Etymology
Arabic 'bayt' (couplet) + Arabic 'baḥth' (discussion, investigation) with the Persian abstract noun suffix '-ī'.
Usage
Commonly invoked in the ghazal tradition to assert poetic supremacy (ta'alli) over rivals or the metaphorical singing bird (the bulbul).
Examples
None could withstand his skill in a poetic debate.
The night ended in a duel of verses among the masters.