Quranic root
شحن
sh · ḥ · n
The root has two lexically distinct orientations: filling or bringing something to capacity, and moving away or creating distance; enmity is understood as a form of separation.
The filling branch yields loading a vessel and the passive participle meaning laden. The distancing branch yields driving away, going far, and enmity. The sources also associate filling or gathering with preparedness, such as readiness to weep.
- Maqāyīs · row 2582
- Mufradāt · row 752
- Lane · entry 38005
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 3
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
مَشْحُونٌ
mashḥūnun
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- Quran occurrences
- 3 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Filled or fully laden.
In all three Quranic occurrences, it describes a ship or vessel filled, loaded, and equipped.
- Lane · entry 38015
- Mufradāt · row 752
Selected Quran examples
Quran 26:119word 6
“laden”
Quran 36:41word 8
“laden”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 3 occurrencesBroader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 18 Classical meanings
شَحَنَ
To fill or load a ship, house, chamber, or similar space; also, to fill a town with horsemen.
The verb may also be used intransitively of what is in a ship when it fills the ship.
- Lane · entry 38005
شَحَنَ
To drive away, remove, or pursue a person or group; an intensely acid thing is said to drive away flies.
The object may be a people, party, or individual; the expression concerning acid is figurative lexical usage.
- Lane · entry 38005
شَحَنَ
To run vehemently or go far; of dogs, to go far in pursuit without catching prey.
The dog usage is a specialized description of prolonged pursuit without securing game.
- Lane · entry 38005
شَحِنَ عَلَيْهِ / شَحَنَ
To bear rancor, malice, or spite toward someone, or to show enmity toward him.
The first construction is explicitly used with عَلَيْهِ.
- Lane · entry 38005
شَحَّنَهُ
To appoint someone to the office of a شِحْنَة.
This usage is reported in postclassical works.
- Lane · entry 38006
شَاحَنَ / تَشَاحَنَ
To treat one another with rancor, malice, or enmity; to exchange reviling, blame, or reproach without reaching combat.
The two derived forms express reciprocal treatment; the reproach usage is described as falling short of fighting.
- Lane · entry 38007
- Lane · entry 38009
أَشْحَنَ
To sheath a sword; also, in a contrary usage, to draw the sword.
Both opposite meanings are explicitly reported for the same verb.
- Lane · entry 38008
أَشْحَنَ
To be ready or about to weep; for the eyes to water as weeping approaches.
The construction describes imminent weeping or its physical onset without restricting the subject to a particular age or gender.
- Lane · entry 38008
أَشْحَنَ
To prepare oneself to shoot someone or to shoot at someone with an arrow.
Used with بِسَهْمٍ to specify preparation for shooting with an arrow.
- Lane · entry 38008
شَحْنَةٌ
The contents or load of a ship sufficient to fill it.
The vocalization is reported with some uncertainty in the source.
- Lane · entry 38010
شِحْنَةٌ
A body of men sufficient to guard, control, or hold a province or city; a troop of horsemen posted in a country or town.
The term refers to an organized guarding or controlling force, not merely to a commander.
- Lane · entry 38011
شِحْنَةٌ
The quantity of fodder allotted to beasts as sufficient for a day and a night.
- Lane · entry 38011
شَحْنَاءُ
Rancor, malice, spite, vehement hatred, or enmity.
It is used of enmity existing between people.
- Lane · entry 38012
شُحُون
Loads or burdens of ships.
In the cited poetic passage, the preferred interpretation is as a plural referring to shiploads, while its morphological analysis is disputed.
- Lane · entry 38013
شَاحِنٌ
A dog that goes far in pursuit without catching prey or game.
This is a specialized nominal description of a pursuing dog.
- Lane · entry 38014
شَاحِنٌ
One who bears enmity, rancor, or spite toward another.
- Lane · entry 38014
مُشْحَئِنٌّ
Becoming angered or being made angry.
- Lane · entry 38016
مُشَاحِنٌ
A rancorous enemy; in transmitted usage, a schismatic religious innovator or transgressor, or one who harbors rancor toward the Companions of the Prophet.
Transmitted interpretations also include one who abandons the institutes or customary rule of his prophet, speaks against his people, or sheds their blood.
- Lane · entry 38017
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The analysis of شُحُون as a ship-load term is accompanied by a reported morphological dispute; the preferred lexical interpretation is retained with that qualification.
The Form IV sword usage is explicitly contronymous: the same reported form can mean either sheathing or drawing the sword.