माइल-ब-ग़ैर

Meaning

Inclined towards another or a rival; leaning towards strangers.

Detailed Meaning

A Persianate compound meaning attracted or leaning towards someone else, specifically a rival. In classical Urdu ghazal, it describes the beloved casting favorable glances or bending affection toward strangers rather than the devoted lover. In this couplet, the eyebrow's bend toward an outsider is critiqued as an imperfection.

Etymology

Arabic mā'il (inclined) + Persian ba (towards) + Arabic ghair (other/stranger).

Usage

Commonly employed in the ghazal tradition to voice the lover's grievance regarding the beloved's infidelity and favor toward the rival.

Examples

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