Word Meaning
शे'र
she'r
Meaning
A couplet or two-line verse in Urdu and Persian poetry; poetic verse.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu prosody, a 'she'r' is a self-contained autonomous couplet consisting of two hemistichs (misra). In this couplet, the poet playfully compares the intricate, convoluted structure of his verses to the curls and twists of the beloved's hair. It represents the quintessential unit of expression in the ghazal tradition.
Etymology
Arabic origin from the root 'sh-'-r' (ش-ع-ر), fundamentally meaning to feel, perceive, know, or compose poetry.
Usage
In the ghazal genre, each she'r is typically complete and independent in its meaning, requiring no narrative connection to the couplets before or after it.
Examples
Every couplet (she'r) of the ghazal carried a distinct world of meaning.
His poetry was elevated when he recited a thoughtful she'r.