Word Meaning
लाखों
lākhoñ
hinoun
Meaning
Hundreds of thousands; countless multitudes; very large numbers.
Detailed Meaning
Literally the plural oblique form of 'lakh' (one hundred thousand), it signifies vast numbers or boundless multitudes. In the context of this couplet, it highlights extreme rarity and severe odds, expressing how out of hundreds of thousands of people, hardly one or two succeed in securing a livelihood.
Etymology
Sanskrit लक्ष (lakṣa, meaning a target or the number 100,000) evolved through Prakrit into Hindustani.
Usage
Commonly used in ghazal idioms like 'लाखों में एक' to emphasize exceptional rarity, beauty, or severe misfortune.
Examples
Among hundreds of thousands, only a rare few find true peace.
Hundreds of thousands of desires lie buried within the heart.
Synonyms
अनगिनतबेशुमारहज़ारों
Related Words
लाखकरोड़ोंतादाद