Quranic root
بصل
b · ṣ · l
The root is centered on بَصَل, the onion, a known bulbous plant.
The onion's layered coats motivate Classical extensions involving many-fold structure, thick or multilayered coverings, and a helmet; related derived verbs also express stripping and figurative exhaustion.
- Maqāyīs · row 775
- Lane · entry 36512
- Lane · entry 36513
- Lane · entry 36514
- Lane · entry 36515
- 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.
بَصَل
baṣal
- 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.
Onion; collectively, onions.
In the Quranic food-list expression وَبَصَلِهَا, “and its onions,” in 2:61.
- Lane · entry 36514
- Mufradāt · row 128
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:61word 22
“and its onions”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:61وَبَصَلِهَا ۖand its onions
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 6 Classical meanings
تَبْصِيلٌ
The act of stripping or divesting; to strip someone of clothing.
A verbal noun for the Form II usage بَصَّلَ.
- Lane · entry 36512
تَبَصَّلَ
To become several-fold or many-fold, like the coats of an onion.
An intransitive derived-verb usage describing increased multiplicity or layered form.
- Lane · entry 36513
تَبَصَّلَ
To be importuned until one's possessions are exhausted.
A figurative transitive usage in which repeated begging exhausts what a person has.
- Lane · entry 36513
بَصَل
A bulb or bulbous plant, including various wild bulbs such as squill.
A broader botanical use than the ordinary onion designation.
- Lane · entry 36514
بَصَل / بَصَلَة
A pointed iron helmet, named by resemblance to an onion.
A figurative Classical use based on the form of the onion and its projecting middle.
- Lane · entry 36514
مُتَبَصِّل
A covering consisting of many coats; thick or multilayered.
An adjective or participial description of something having numerous coverings, by comparison with onion layers.
- Lane · entry 36515