लबों

Meaning

Lips (oblique plural).

Detailed Meaning

In Urdu poetics, 'labon' is the oblique plural form of 'lab', denoting the beloved's lips. In this couplet, it specifies the site of an illicit or daring request for a kiss ('bosa'), which instantly ruins the beloved's mood. Classical poetry often praises lips for their wine-like redness, delicacy, and capacity for speech or silence.

Etymology

From Persian 'lab' (لب, meaning lip), combined with the Hindustani oblique plural suffix '-on' (-وں).

Usage

A staple trope in the ghazal tradition, evoking romantic longing, speech, silence, or the color of wine and rubies.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words