xewqa

Maltese

Root
x-w-q
4 terms

Etymology

Singulative derivation from Arabic شَوْق (šawq, “longing”), thus originally “a single instance or object of longing”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃɛw.ʔa/

Noun

xewqa f (plural xewqiet or xewqat)

1. desire
2. wish (that which one wishes)
   • 1975, Anton Buttigieg, “Il-Ħajja u l-Għarajjes”, in L-Għanja tas-Sittin:

     Il-Ħajja ma’ l-għarajjes
     daret kollha daħkana;
     għalihom ferħ biss kellha
     u daqq u żfin u għana,
     xita ta’ ross, xewqiet
     f’għomor mimli għaxqiet;

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

3. will (that which one wants or wills)

   Synonyms: rieda, (fairly rare) voluntà

4. birthmark

   Synonym: xehwa

Related terms

• xtaq