Date: 20-Apr-2001
Word of the day: 'qandiil'


Meaning:

qandiil - lamp/lantern [n. fem. Persian]

Note: I believe the origin of the word is from 
the Arabic word 'qindiil' [n. fem. Arabic]. The 
word was originally used in Arabic to mean a big 
paper lantern which has drawings on the outside 
and which could be hung outdoors to gently sway 
in the breeze. 

I would be interested in knowing whether either 
of these words were the origin of the word 'candle'
in English or whether this word was borrowed from 
English into Arabic and Persian.


Couplet:

fazaa maGmuum hai saaqii uThaa chhalkaaye.n paimaanaa
andheraa ba.Dh chalaa hai laa zaraa qandiil-e-maiKhaanaa
[Unknown]

[maGmuum = sad]