Quranic root
دلك
d · l · k
A root oriented toward the gentle removal or displacement of one thing from another, especially through rubbing or continuous movement.
The evidence connects rubbing across a surface with the westward movement of the sun and with derivative meanings involving rubbed substances, prepared foods, wear, habituation, and removal.
- Maqāyīs · row 1813
- 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.
دُلُوك
dulūk
- Part of speech
- Verbal 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.
The sun’s decline from the meridian, its westward movement after noon.
In the Quranic construction لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ, this reading understands the expression as beginning at the sun’s noon decline and can include the noon and afternoon prayer times.
- Lane · entry 1132
- Mufradāt · row 480
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:78word 3
“at the decline”
The sun’s decline toward sunset, including its sinking or setting.
In لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ, this is the sunset or approach-to-sunset interpretation. The same celestial usage is also recorded of the stars by analogy.
- Lane · entry 1132
- Mufradāt · row 480
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:78word 3
“at the decline”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 17:78لِدُلُوكِat the decline
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 29 Classical meanings
دَلَكَهُ
To rub, rub and press, knead, or wipe by rubbing with the hand.
Used of such actions as rubbing a garment, grain, the eyes, or a sandal, and kneading dough.
- Lane · entry 1132
دَلَكَهُ
Of time or fortune, to discipline, test, and make a person experienced or firm in judgment; of journeys, to inure or exhaust a camel.
A figurative extension of the effect of repeated hardship or experience.
- Lane · entry 1132
دُلِكَتِ الأَرْضُ
Of land, to have its produce or herbage eaten or consumed.
A figurative passive use describing land as though it had been rubbed away.
- Lane · entry 1132
دَلَكَتِ الشَّمْسُ
In a reported usage, the sun became high.
This is a separately reported classical interpretation and is not used to define the Quranic occurrence.
- Lane · entry 1132
دَلَّكَهَا
To feed, nourish, or rear.
A Form II use distinct from the ordinary rubbing sense.
- Lane · entry 1133
دَالَكَهُ
To defer payment to a creditor or put someone off by repeated promises; by extension, to engage in a contest of patience or to press persistently for a due.
Especially associated with debts, dowries, or other rights and payments.
- Lane · entry 1134
تَدَلَّكَ
To rub or press one’s own body, especially in washing or in a hot bath; to rub oneself with a cleansing or perfuming substance.
Reflexive Form V usage.
- Lane · entry 1135
دَلَكٌ
The time of the sun’s decline or setting, hence afternoon or evening.
A time noun used in expressions identifying the period of the sun’s westward movement.
- Lane · entry 1137
دَلَكٌ
Looseness or laxness in a camel’s knees.
A bodily condition of the camel.
- Lane · entry 1137
دُلَكَةٌ
An unidentified small animal, creeping creature, or insect.
The identification of the creature is explicitly uncertain.
- Lane · entry 1138
دَلُوكٌ
A substance or implement used for rubbing the body in washing, such as a cleanser, depilatory, or foot-rasp.
Includes materials used in the hot bath and the tool used to rub the feet.
- Lane · entry 1139
دَلِيكٌ
Dust carried away by the wind, as though rubbed from the ground.
A figurative descriptive use.
- Lane · entry 1140
دَلِيكٌ
A food made from butter and dates, including dates softened and mashed by rubbing or pressing.
Comparable to a preparation like tharīd.
- Lane · entry 1140
دَلِيكٌ
A person made firm or sound in judgment through experience and diligent practice in managing affairs.
A figurative description of an experienced, capable person.
- Lane · entry 1140
دَلِيكٌ
A particular plant.
The lexical identification is botanical and independent of the food meaning of دَلِيكٌ.
- Lane · entry 1140
دَلِيكٌ
The red, sweet fruit of the wild rose or mountain rose.
The fruit is described as becoming red and sweet when ripe.
- Lane · entry 1140
دُلَاكَةٌ
The milk drawn from an udder before the next quantity has collected.
A dairy term referring to the final milk between successive milkings.
- Lane · entry 1141
دَلِيكَةٌ
A preparation of dates, clarified butter, and dried curd kneaded or pressed together.
A food identified with حَيْس.
- Lane · entry 1142
دَلَّاكٌ
A person who rubs and presses the body in a hot bath.
An occupational noun for a bath masseur.
- Lane · entry 1143
دُؤْلُوكٌ
An affair or case of great magnitude, gravity, or importance.
Its plural is دَوَالِيكُ.
- Lane · entry 1144
الدَّوَالِيكُ
A manner of walking marked by urging or pressing forward and by spreading the legs apart.
An idiomatic description of gait or pace.
- Lane · entry 1145
مِدْلَكٌ
One who repeatedly delays or defers payment to a creditor by making successive promises.
The transmitted entry gives مُدْلِكٌ, while the lexical form is reported as probably مِدْلَكٌ.
- Lane · entry 1146
مَدْلُوكٌ
Rubbed smooth or polished.
A passive participial use describing the result of rubbing and pressing.
- Lane · entry 1147
مَدْلُوكُ الحَجَبَةِ
Of a horse, having flattened or non-projecting bony prominences, especially at the brow or hip.
A specialized anatomical description applied to a horse.
- Lane · entry 1147
مَدْلُوكٌ
Of a camel, inured or fatigued by journeys.
A passive participial use describing habituation or exhaustion through travel.
- Lane · entry 1147
مَدْلُوكٌ
Of a camel, having laxness or looseness in the knees.
A specialized bodily description, distinct from the travel-worn sense.
- Lane · entry 1147
أَرْضٌ مَدْلُوكَةٌ
Land whose produce or herbage has been eaten or consumed.
A figurative passive description of land as rubbed away.
- Lane · entry 1147
مُدَالِكٌ
One who delays, defers, or puts someone off by repeated promises.
A participial noun associated with withholding payment or fulfillment.
- Lane · entry 1148
مُدَالِكٌ
One who does not hold himself above a low or ignoble action.
A distinct characterization of conduct, not merely a synonym for delaying payment.
- Lane · entry 1148
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The single Quran occurrence in 17:78 is lexically interpreted either as the sun’s meridianal decline or as its decline toward sunset and setting; the supplied lexical evidence supports both readings.
The uncertain botanical and zoological identifications are retained as reported rather than presented as secure modern identifications.