Word Meaning
हैवाँ
haiwaan
hinoun
Meaning
Life or living creature; in classical compounds, the elixir of immortality.
Detailed Meaning
While commonly meaning an animal or living being, the Arabic root fundamentally signifies 'life' or 'vitality'. In this couplet, it appears in the Persian genitive construction 'aab-e-haiwaan' (the water of life), symbolizing the life-giving nectar that paradoxically proved to be poison ('sam') for the forlorn lover.
Etymology
Arabic (حَيَوَان / ḥayawān, from the root ḥ-y-y meaning 'to live').
Usage
In classical Urdu ghazal, it frequently occurs in the Persian construct 'aab-e-haiwaan' as an evocative synonym for 'aab-e-hayaat'.
Examples
seeking the life-giving stream of aab-e-haiwaan
the fine line dividing humanity from haiwaan
Synonyms
हयातज़िंदगीप्राणीजानवर
Related Words
आब-ए-हैवाँहैवानियतहैवानी