Word Meaning
सिफ़त
sifat
Meaning
Praise, attribute, quality, characteristic, or description.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu literature, 'sifat' fundamentally denotes a quality, attribute, or adjective, but frequently extends to mean praise or laudatory description. In this couplet, it specifically conveys praising and celebrating the luminous beauty of the beloved's ruby lips. The poet implies that by describing such elegance, their own speech becomes as precious as gems.
Etymology
Arabic صِفَة (ṣifa), from the root و-ص-ف (w-ṣ-f) meaning to describe, portray, or qualify.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, 'sifat' commonly appears in verbal constructions like 'sifat karna' to praise the beloved's charms, often poetically contrasted with 'zaat' (essence).
Examples
To describe every attribute of the beloved
Words falling short of such divine praise