Quranic root
عتو
ʿ · t · w
The root centers on arrogant self-exaltation and defiant resistance to authority, with associated notions of exceeding bounds and becoming hardened.
The core sense of pride develops into insolent refusal of obedience and excessive force or conduct. A related lexical branch describes hardening, senescent decline, and extreme old age.
- Maqāyīs · row 3133
- Mufradāt · row 944
- Lane · entry 2070
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 6
- Quran senses
- 10
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
عَتَا
ʿatā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 5 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.
To act arrogantly or insolently, exceeding proper bounds.
A Form I verb describing arrogant excess or insolent conduct.
- Lane · entry 2070
Selected Quran examples
Quran 25:21word 17
“and (become) insolent”
To turn away disdainfully from obedience; to rebel against a command.
Used with عن to express refusal or defiant departure from obedience.
- Lane · entry 2070
- Mufradāt · row 944
Selected Quran examples
Quran 51:44word 1
“But they rebelled”
عَاتٍ
ʿātin
- Part of speech
- Active participle · adjective
- 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.
Excessive or overpowering, beyond ordinary bounds.
In the Quran, the feminine form عَاتِيَة describes a wind of exceptional force or violence.
- Lane · entry 2074
Selected Quran examples
Quran 69:6word 6
“violent”
عِتِيّ
ʿitiyy
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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.
Extreme old age, especially a state of senescent decline, dryness, or rigidity.
In مِنَ الْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا, it denotes reaching the extreme condition of old age.
- Lane · entry 2070
- Mufradāt · row 944
Selected Quran examples
Quran 19:8word 14
“extreme”
Hardened rebelliousness or defiant disobedience.
In مَرْيَمَ 19:69, the form is explained either as a verbal noun or as a plural referring to the defiant; both analyses preserve the sense of hardened rebellion.
- Lane · entry 2070
- Lane · entry 2074
- Mufradāt · row 944
Selected Quran examples
Quran 19:69word 10
“(in) rebellion”
عُتُوّ
ʿutuww
- Part of speech
- Verbal noun
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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.
Arrogant defiance; proud refusal to obey.
A verbal noun expressing insolent rebellion or departure from obedience.
- Lane · entry 2070
- Mufradāt · row 944
Selected Quran examples
Quran 25:21word 18
“(with) insolence”
Quran 67:21word 11
“pride”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 7:77وَعَتَوْا۟and (were) insolent
- 7:166عَتَوْا۟they exceeded all bounds
- 19:8عِتِيًّۭاextreme
- 19:69عِتِيًّۭا(in) rebellion
- 25:21وَعَتَوْand (become) insolent
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 8 Classical meanings
عَتَا
Of the wind: to blow excessively or violently.
An attested application of the verb to wind.
- Lane · entry 2070
عَتَا
Of an aging subject: to become advanced and declining in age.
A Classical verbal use describing senescent decline.
- Lane · entry 2070
عَتَا
To become dried up, hard, or rigid, as wood or a branch.
A Classical use applied to dry or hardened material.
- Lane · entry 2070
عَاتٍ
Proud, overbearing, immoderate, or rebellious; in some descriptions, corrupt or unbelieving.
An adjective of arrogant or forceful character; it is also equated with جَبَّارٌ.
- Lane · entry 2074
عَاتٍ
Advanced and declining in age; dried-up or hardened through senescence.
A Classical adjectival use describing an aged, declining state.
- Lane · entry 2074
عَاتٍ
Intensely dark.
Attested in the conventional expression لَيْلٌ عَاتٍ, “an intensely dark night.”
- Lane · entry 2074
أَعْتَى
More or most excessive, immoderate, or inordinate in pride.
A comparative or superlative adjective.
- Lane · entry 2075
أَعْتَاءٌ
A plural term for men who act corruptly or viciously, transgressing divine commands, including those who commit sexual immorality.
Explicitly applied to men as a plural of the relevant adjectival designation.
- Lane · entry 2076
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
In مَرْيَمَ 19:69, عِتِيًّا is reported with differing grammatical analyses—as a verbal noun or as a plural of عَاتٍ—while the shared lexical sense is hardened rebellion.