Word Meaning
शुनूद
shunūd
Meaning
Hearing, listening, or that which is heard; often paired as dialogue or discourse.
Detailed Meaning
Derived from the Persian infinitive meaning 'to hear', it denotes listening, hearing, or auditive perception. In classical poetry, it is most frequently encountered in the copulative phrase 'guft-o-shunūd' (speaking and listening), signifying conversation, dialogue, or negotiations. In this couplet, it refers to the ongoing verbal interaction and mutual discourse between the speaker and the beloved.
Etymology
Persian, from the verb shunūdan (شنودن, 'to hear, listen').
Usage
In ghazal poetry, it is almost exclusively employed within the Dvandva compound 'guft-o-shunūd' to portray reciprocal conversation or lovers' discourse.
Examples
guft-o-shunūd kā ye silsila darāz huā (this sequence of conversation grew long)
shunūd-e-dard-e-dil kī fursat kise hai (who has the leisure to listen to the heart's sorrow)