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Quranic root

ظمأ

ẓ · m · ʾ

The root centers on thirst and on the interval of abstention between drinkings.

The lexical development links the interval between two drinkings, ظِمْءٌ, with the thirst that arises during it, ظَمَأٌ, and extends to descriptions of the thirsty state, its causation, and endurance.

  • Mufradāt · row 930
  • Lane · entry 32682
  • Lane · entry 32686
3
Quran-attested forms
3
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.

ظَمِئَ

ẓamiʾa

Part of speech
Verb · Form I
Form
I
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.

  1. To thirst; to be thirsty.

    An intransitive Form I verb. In the Quranic occurrence, the imperfect is negated to express the absence of thirst.

    • Lane · entry 32682
    • Mufradāt · row 930
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 20:119word 3

    will suffer from thirst

ظَمَأٌ

ẓamaʾun

Part of speech
Noun
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.

  1. Thirst; the condition of being thirsty.

    The noun names the experience or condition of thirst.

    • Lane · entry 32682
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 9:120word 23

    thirst

ظَمْآنُ

ẓamʾānu

Part of speech
Adjective · substantivized
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.

  1. Thirsty; suffering from thirst.

    An adjective describing one who is thirsty; the Quranic occurrence is substantivized and definite.

    • Lane · entry 32688
    • Mufradāt · row 930
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 24:39word 7

    the thirsty one

Occurrences in the Quran

Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.

  • 9:120ظَمَأٌۭthirst
  • 20:119تَظْمَؤُا۟will suffer from thirst
  • 24:39ٱلظَّمْـَٔانُthe thirsty one
View all 3 occurrences

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 17 Classical meanings
  • ظَمِئَ

    To desire or long to meet someone.

    A figurative extension of thirst.

    • Lane · entry 32682
  • أَظْمَأَ

    To make someone thirsty.

    Causative Form IV; the lexical evidence allows variation in the degree of thirst.

    • Lane · entry 32684
  • أَظْمَأَ

    To make a horse lean or lank by sweating it.

    A figurative or specialized use applied to a horse.

    • Lane · entry 32684
  • تَظَمَّأَ

    To constrain oneself to endure a state of thirst.

    Reflexive Form V usage.

    • Lane · entry 32685
  • ظِمْءٌ

    Thirst; the condition of being thirsty.

    A nominal form distinct from ظَمَأٌ.

    • Lane · entry 32686
  • ظِمْءٌ

    Figurative desire or longing to meet someone.

    A tropical extension from the sense of thirst.

    • Lane · entry 32686
  • ظِمْءٌ

    The interval between two drinkings or waterings, especially the period between a camel’s visits to water; also the period for which camels are kept from water during it.

    A conventional term in the management of camels and other livestock.

    • Lane · entry 32686
  • ظِمْءُ الحَيَاةِ

    The period from birth to death; a lifetime.

    Figurative usage.

    • Lane · entry 32686
  • ظَمْآنُ

    Desirous or longing to meet someone.

    A figurative adjectival extension of thirst.

    • Lane · entry 32688
  • ظَمْآنُ

    Spare or lean, with little flesh; of joints, firm and well-braced rather than flabby.

    A figurative use applied to bodily features, a horse’s legs, and firm joints.

    • Lane · entry 32688
  • ظَمْآنُ

    Hot and dry, lacking moisture; said of a non-gentle wind.

    A figurative description of wind.

    • Lane · entry 32688
  • ظَمَاءَةٌ

    Evilness of character: meanness of disposition and failure to deal equitably with associates.

    An assumed-tropical extension.

    • Lane · entry 32690
  • أَظْمَأُ

    Tawny.

    Applied to a spear.

    • Lane · entry 32692
  • أَظْمَأُ

    Black.

    Applied to an antelope or camel.

    • Lane · entry 32692
  • مَظْمَأٌ

    A thirsty or arid place of the earth or ground.

    A noun describing land or ground.

    • Lane · entry 32693
  • مِظْمَاءٌ

    One suffering very severe thirst.

    A term for a person in extreme thirst.

    • Lane · entry 32694
  • مِظْمَئِيٌّ

    Rain-fed, receiving water only from rain rather than irrigation.

    Applied to seed or produce.

    • Lane · entry 32695

Cautions

Points that affect how this root should be read.

  • No Maqāyīs entry was supplied; the root-level orientation is therefore limited to the directly attested lexical discussion.