Meaning
An amorous sidelong glance, a wink or coquettish flicker of the eye.
Literally: a wink, a flash of the eye, amorous glance
Usage & notes
Ghamza is the quick wounding glance — the sidelong flash of the beloved's eye that strikes the lover like an arrow. It belongs to the ghazal's armory of the eye, where lashes are arrows and the look is a blade. A single ghamza can slay a hundred lovers; it is beauty's casual, careless power, dealing wounds the beloved barely notices giving.
Related words
ARABIC
Ishwa
Amorous gesture, coquettish airs; the beloved's flirtatious play.
PERSIAN
Naaz
Coquetry, graceful pride, the beloved's charming disdain and airs.
PERSIAN
Kirishma
Coquetry, an alluring gesture or wondrous charm of the beloved.
ARABIC
Nazar / Nigah
Gaze, vision, insight — the discerning eye.
SANSKRIT
Aankh
Eye.