Word Meaning
रू-सफेदी
rū-safedī
hinoun
Meaning
Whiteness of face; innocence, honor, or blamelessness.
Detailed Meaning
'Rū-safedī' literally signifies whiteness of the countenance and metaphorically denotes innocence, honor, or vindication, serving as the antonym of 'rū-siyāhī' (disgrace). In this verse, Ghalib uses it with ironic wit, connecting the literal whiteness of the judge's beard to a mask of propriety draped over drunken abandon.
Etymology
Persian compound: rū (face) + safīdī/safedī (whiteness).
Usage
In ghazal poetry, it is frequently contrasted with 'rū-siyāhī' to oppose moral uprightness or salvation to shame and guilt.
Examples
The outward rū-safedī hid the turmoil within.
He pleaded for rū-safedī on the day of reckoning.
Synonyms
सुर्खरूईसफ़ेद-रूईइज़्ज़त
Related Words
रू-सियाहीसफ़ेदरुख़रू