Word Meaning
मुतकब्बिर
mutakabbir
Meaning
Arrogant, haughty, proud, or conceited.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'mutakabbir' refers to an aloof, excessively proud person or beloved who looks down upon admirers. In the cited couplet, it captures the haughtiness of the self-absorbed beloved whom the lover treats with reverence like a deity, juxtaposing human conceit against the true existence of God.
Etymology
Arabic (مُتَكَبِّر), active participle of Form V verb takabbara (تَكَبَّرَ, 'to be haughty or arrogant'), derived from the root k-b-r (ك-ب-ر) relating to greatness.
Usage
Commonly used in ghazal poetry to portray the beloved's disdainful arrogance in contrast to the lover's utter humility.
Examples
The haughty beloved paid no heed to the lover's plea.
Pride blinds the arrogant to their own mortality.