Quranic root
بسق
b · s · q
The root primarily conveys rising, height, and loftiness.
The physical image of upward growth, especially in tall palms, extends to elevated clouds, superiority in reputation, and mastery in knowledge. The saliva-related branch is treated in the lexical evidence as an interchange with بَصَقَ rather than as part of the elevation branch.
- Maqāyīs · row 762
- Mufradāt · row 123
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- 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.
بَاسِقٌ
bāsiqun
- 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.
Tall, lofty, or fully grown in stature.
In the Quran, the plural بَاسِقَاتٍ describes palms as tall and upward-growing in Q 50:10; the related nuance of full growth is treated as part of this height sense, not as a separate meaning.
- Lane · entry 36382
- Lane · entry 36389
- Mufradāt · row 123
Selected Quran examples
Quran 50:10word 2
“tall”
Bearing fruit.
An alternative interpretation of بَاسِقَاتٍ in Q 50:10, associated with the Form IV usage describing a female animal as pregnant or bearing before parturition.
- Lane · entry 36384
- Lane · entry 36389
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 50:10بَاسِقَـٰتٍۢtall
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 15 Classical meanings
بَسَقَ
To surpass others in excellence, fame, or renown; to rise above them.
A figurative use, including constructions with عَلَيْهِمْ or بِهِمْ.
- Lane · entry 36382
بَسَقَ
To become skilled in a science, mastering its abstrusities and niceties or the whole of it.
Used with فِي in the expression بَسَقَ فِي عِلْمِهِ.
- Lane · entry 36382
بَسَقَ
To spit or emit saliva.
A rare or disputed use; some authorities restrict بَسَقَ to the meaning of excessive tallness, while others equate this use with بَصَقَ or بَزَقَ.
- Lane · entry 36382
بَسَقَتِ الشَّمْسُ
The sun rose or appeared above the horizon.
A conventional expression for sunrise.
- Lane · entry 36382
بَسَّقَ / تَبَسَّقَ
To be prolix or tedious; in one usage, to be heavy or sluggish.
A figurative Form II/Form V usage, especially in the expression لَا تُبَسِّقْ عَلَيْنَا.
- Lane · entry 36383
أَبْسَقَ
To secrete first milk or colostrum into the udder before giving birth.
Applied to a ewe or she-camel, typically about a month or more before parturition and sometimes even when not pregnant; it can also describe a virgin girl whose breasts develop milk.
- Lane · entry 36384
أَبْسَقَ
To have a long udder.
Reported especially of a ewe.
- Lane · entry 36384
بَسْقَةٌ
A stony tract, such as a ḥarrah, or somewhat elevated ground.
The plural is given as بِسَاقٌ.
- Lane · entry 36386
بُسَاقٌ
Spittle or saliva after it has left the mouth, especially saliva that flows.
A nominal use equated with بُصَاقٌ.
- Lane · entry 36387
بُسَاقَةُ القَمَرِ
A clear white stone that glistens.
A specialized nominal expression, also recorded with the ṣād spelling.
- Lane · entry 36387
بَسُوقٌ / مِبْسَاقٌ
Having a long udder.
Applied to a ewe or she-camel.
- Lane · entry 36388
بَاسِقٌ / بَاسِقَةٌ / بَوَاسِقُ
Of clouds: high and clear-white; بَوَاسِقُ can also denote their first appearing portions or elongated upper summits, and by extension chamomile.
A descriptive use applied to clouds and, through the shape of their elevated or elongated heads, to the named plant.
- Lane · entry 36389
بَاسِقُ الأَخْلَاقِ
Endowed with elevated or noble natural dispositions and mental qualities.
A figurative construction describing elevated character or mental qualities.
- Lane · entry 36389
بَاسِقٌ
A sweet yellow fruit.
A rare nominal use; the transmitted identification is accompanied by a textual uncertainty in the lexical source.
- Lane · entry 36389
مُبْسِقٌ
A female camel that secretes first milk or colostrum before giving birth; also a virgin girl whose breasts have flowing milk.
An active-participle use corresponding to the early-milk sense of أَبْسَقَ.
- Lane · entry 36390
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The fruit-bearing interpretation of Q 50:10 is an alternative lexical interpretation; the supplied Quran contextual gloss supports the tall interpretation.
The saliva meaning of بَسَقَ is reported as rare or disputed and is associated in the root discussion with the separate بَصَقَ branch.