Quranic root
بنن
b · n · n
A core orientation of remaining, staying, or adhering.
Classical derivatives develop this orientation into dwelling, deliberate steadiness, and things that cling or remain, including an odour attached to what bears it. Banan is related to the extremities by which human action and continuance are maintained.
- Maqāyīs · row 845
- Mufradāt · row 159
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
بَنَانٌ
banānun
- 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.
Fingers or fingertips.
In the Quranic occurrences, this refers to the fingers or their extremities; in 8:12 their role in fighting and defense is foregrounded. Classical interpretation also allows the term to include fingers of the feet.
- Lane · entry 37217
- Mufradāt · row 159
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:12word 23
“fingertip[s]”
Quran 75:4word 6
“his fingertips”
The bodily extremities or limbs collectively, including the hands, arms, feet, and legs.
A Quran-attested interpretation, especially for 75:4, understands banan more broadly as the body's extremities rather than only the fingers.
- Lane · entry 37217
- Mufradāt · row 159
Selected Quran examples
Quran 75:4word 6
“his fingertips”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 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 16 Classical meanings
أَبَنَّ
To remain, stay, dwell, or cling to a place.
Used with بِالْمَكَانِ or بِهِ; of a cloud, it can mean remaining in place while continuing to rain.
- Lane · entry 37210
بَنَّنَ
To tether a sheep or goat so that it may be fattened.
- Lane · entry 37209
تَبَنَّنَ
To act or proceed deliberately and without haste.
Used as an admonition to someone who is acting too quickly.
- Lane · entry 37211
بَنْ
A dialectal particle meaning rather, but, or nay.
A dialectal variant of بَلْ, including in the expression لَا بَنْ.
- Lane · entry 37212
بُنٌّ
Coffee berries, whether whole, roasted, pounded, or ground; a condiment-like substance made from them.
The entry also describes the plant and medicinal uses of its berries.
- Lane · entry 37213
بِنٌّ
A place characterized by a fetid odour.
- Lane · entry 37214
بِنٌّ
A layer of fat or suet accumulated on an animal.
Used of fat lying layer upon layer on a fattened animal.
- Lane · entry 37214
بَنَّةٌ
A sweet, pleasant, unpleasant, or fetid odour.
It may describe the odour of apples, quinces, sheep, goats, cattle, gazelles, dung, or the places where such animals lodge; the characteristic is an odour adhering to what bears it.
- Lane · entry 37215
بَنَّةٌ
The lodging-place or enclosure of sheep, goats, cattle, or gazelles.
This is a metonymic use associated with the characteristic odour of such animal lodging-places.
- Lane · entry 37215
بُنِّيٌّ
A seller of coffee berries.
- Lane · entry 37216
بُنِّيٌّ
A species of fish, identified as the Bynni or cyprinus Bynni.
A Nile fish described as white, abundant, and highly valued.
- Lane · entry 37216
بَنِيِنٌ
Deliberate, intelligent, and steady-minded.
Applied to a man; the term is explained as related to the branch of remaining or steadiness.
- Lane · entry 37218
بُنَانَةٌ
A verdant meadow or tract of land, somewhat watery and producing herbage and flowers.
- Lane · entry 37220
مُبِنٌّ
Remaining, continuing, staying, or dwelling in a place.
A participial adjective referring to one who remains or dwells.
- Lane · entry 37221
مُبِنٌّ
Clinging or sticking.
Applied to a mixture of urine and dung adhering to the tail of a camel or similar animal.
- Lane · entry 37221
مُبِنٌّ
Having the fetid odour of gazelle dung.
Applied to a covert or hiding-place among trees frequented by gazelles.
- Lane · entry 37221
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
Classical interpretation differs over whether banan refers specifically to fingers, to fingers and toes, or, especially in 75:4, to the bodily extremities collectively.