Quranic root
أسن
ʾ · s · n
The root primarily denotes alteration or deterioration, especially a change that makes something worse; a separate classical branch concerns means, ropes, and paths.
The alteration branch is applied to water whose odor, and in broader lexical descriptions sometimes taste or color, has changed. Classical illness and fainting usages are explained through the effects or analogy of foul water, while the separate branch develops from ropes to figurative paths or ways.
- Maqāyīs · row 93
- Mufradāt · row 37
- Lane · entry 6745
- Lane · entry 6747
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 1
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
آسِن
ʾāsin
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Of water: altered for the worse, especially in odor, and consequently unpleasant or possibly unfit to drink.
Used of water that has deteriorated after standing. The lexical descriptions chiefly mention a bad change in odor and also report changes in taste or color; depending on the degree of alteration, the water may remain drinkable or become unfit to drink. The Quranic occurrence uses the form in the negated expression “water that is not altered.”
- Lane · entry 6747
- Mufradāt · row 37
Selected Quran examples
Quran 47:15word 11
“polluted”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 47:15ءَاسِنٍۢpolluted
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 3 Classical meanings
أَسِنَ
To be overcome or become ill from the foul odor of a well; in particular, to faint or be overcome by the odor.
A Classical personal use distinct from the description of altered water.
- Maqāyīs · row 93
- Mufradāt · row 37
تَأَسَّنَ
To become ill or languid and slow, by analogy with the effect of altered water.
A reported analogical usage; its derivation is treated as disputed in the lexical evidence.
- Maqāyīs · row 93
- Mufradāt · row 37
آسَان
Ropes; figuratively, paths or ways, as in an idiom for following a father’s ways.
A separate Classical lexical branch from the water-related meaning.
- Maqāyīs · row 93
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The supplied contextual gloss “polluted” is supporting context only; the lexical evidence centers on water altered for the worse, especially in odor.
The personal illness/fainting uses and the reported تَأَسَّنَ usage are Classical meanings, not additional Quranic senses of the displayed participle.
أُسُن, meaning a remainder of grease, is not included because the root analysis treats it as عُسُن with a substituted hamza rather than as a genuine branch of this root.