Word Meaning
सब्ज़
sabz
hiadjective
Meaning
Green; verdant; referring here to the greenish rust or patina on metal.
Detailed Meaning
The word primarily signifies the color green, freshness, or verdure. In classical Urdu poetry, especially in this couplet by Ghalib, it poetically denotes verdigris (zangar) or the greenish tarnishing and moss-like patina that forms on steel/bronze mirrors due to monsoon humidity. It turns a flaw into a marvel of nature's polisher.
Etymology
Persian (sabz / سبز), meaning green, fresh, verdant.
Usage
In Urdu ghazals, while 'sabz' usually symbolizes youth and lush nature, in mirror-imagery it uniquely evokes the verdigris or rust (zangar) formed on metal mirrors.
Examples
A mirror turned green under the monsoon damp
A verdant garden kissed by spring breeze
Synonyms
हराज़ंगार-आलूदशादाब
Related Words
सब्ज़ासब्ज़ीसब्ज़ा-ज़ार