Word Meaning
वे
ve
Meaning
They; those (archaic or classical third-person plural pronoun).
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu and Rekhta, 've' serves as the third-person plural pronoun corresponding to modern 'voh' (وہ). In the provided couplet, it functions emphatically as 'those [people]', distinguishing the speakers as a distinct kind of wanderers who would perish if forced to stay in one place. It represents archaic idiom frequently encountered in 18th- and early 19th-century poetry.
Etymology
Prakrit/Apabhramsha origin, evolved into Old Hindi/Braj Bhasha and early Urdu (Rekhta).
Usage
A characteristic feature of classical Rekhta (especially in Mir's era), later superseded by 'voh' (وہ) in modern standard Urdu.
Examples
We are those who lose their hearts easily.
Those who were once companions are nowhere to be seen.