Quranic root
فتر
f · t · r
A weakening or relaxation of intensity: what is forceful becomes less vigorous, still, gentle, or weak.
The root develops from remission after vehemence to slackness in activity, bodily or perceptual weakness, and the cessation or interval that follows exertion or intense action. Its causative forms denote making something abate or weak.
- Maqāyīs · row 3505
- Mufradāt · row 1084
- Lane · entry 33132
- 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.
فَتَرَ
fatara
- 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.
To slacken, abate, or become still after intensity; to cease from vigorous activity.
The Quranic occurrence is an intransitive description of sustained activity: the angels do not slacken from their energetic worship.
- Lane · entry 33132
- Mufradāt · row 1084
Selected Quran examples
Quran 21:20word 5
“they slacken”
فَتَّرَ
fattara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- 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.
To cause something to slacken, abate, or become less intense; to weaken it.
The Quranic occurrence is passive and concerns something not being made less intense or relieved; the causative relation is expressed by the Form II morphology.
- Lane · entry 33133
- Maqāyīs · row 3505
Selected Quran examples
Quran 43:75word 2
“will it subside”
فَتْرَة
fatrah
- 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.
An interval or cessation between messengers, during which the prophetic mission is absent.
In the Quranic occurrence, the interval is specifically between messengers and is associated with the cessation or effacement of their mission and religious signs.
- Lane · entry 33140
- Mufradāt · row 1084
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:19word 9
“(after) an interval (of cessation)”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 5:19فَتْرَةٍۢ(after) an interval (of cessation)
- 21:20يَفْتُرُونَthey slacken
- 43:75يُفَتَّرُwill it subside
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
فَتَرَ / افْتَرَ
To become physically languid or weak, with laxity in the joints; also, of the eyelids or gaze, to become languid and lacking sharpness.
This branch is applied to the body, limbs, eyelids, or gaze; a languid gaze may be regarded as aesthetically pleasing.
- Lane · entry 33132
- Lane · entry 33134
فَتَرَ
To measure by a fitr, the span between the extended thumb and forefinger.
A transitive measuring construction.
- Lane · entry 33132
فَتَّرَ / افْتَرَ
To render a person or body languid, faint, or weak, with laxity of the joints.
The cause may be a beverage, disease, or intoxication; the object may be left unexpressed with افْتَرَ.
- Lane · entry 33133
فَتَّرَ السَّحَابُ
Of a cloud, to become motionless after raining, either while prepared to discharge rain or after discharging its water.
A conventional description of a rain cloud that ceases moving after its rain-bearing activity.
- Lane · entry 33133
اِسْتَفْتَرَ
Of a horse, to refrain from covering so that its seminal fluid collects.
A specialized equine usage.
- Lane · entry 33136
فُتْرٌ
A palm-leaf implement resembling a sufrah, used for sifting flour or meal.
- Lane · entry 33137
فِتْرٌ
The span between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the forefinger when they are extended apart in the customary manner.
A traditional unit of measurement; its plural is أَفْتَارٌ.
- Lane · entry 33138
- Maqāyīs · row 3505
- Mufradāt · row 1084
فَتْرَة
Languor, remissness, weakness, feebleness, or faintness; a state of reduced strength after activity or force.
This is the general nominal sense, distinct from the Quranic technical sense of an interval between messengers.
- Lane · entry 33140
- Mufradāt · row 1084
فَتَرَ إِلَى
To settle or rest toward something after a period of energetic exertion.
A construction in which إلى marks what one settles or rests toward.
- Mufradāt · row 1084
فِتَرٌّ
A speckled torpedo fish, said to induce languor in the legs of a person who treads on it.
A specialized zoological term referring to the electric fish found in the Nile.
- Lane · entry 33141
فُتَارٌ
Languor that marks the beginning of intoxication.
- Lane · entry 33142
الفُتُورُ
The soft, raised parts of the frogs of horses' hooves.
A specialized anatomical term.
- Lane · entry 33143
فَاتِرٌ
Lukewarm or tepid, especially of water that has ceased to be hot.
Used in the expression مَاءٌ فَاتِرٌ for water between hot and cold.
- Lane · entry 33144
فَاتِرٌ
Languid, weak-looking, or lacking sharpness; said of the gaze, and also of weak walking.
Of the eye, the weakness may be a soft or aesthetically pleasing languor; of walking, it denotes weakness.
- Lane · entry 33144
مُفَتِّرٌ / مُقْتِرٌ
A beverage that renders its drinker languid or weak, sometimes with laxity of the joints.
Lane reports competing readings for the term; the usage is associated with a beverage producing bodily languor.
- Lane · entry 33147
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The historical Quran citation attached to the interval meaning is not converted into a modern verse location; the displayed 5:19 example is the independently supplied QAC occurrence.
The beverage term in the Classical section is reported with competing readings مُقْتِرٌ and مُفَتِّرٌ.