Quranic root
كدح
k · d · ḥ
The root centers on making a mark or exerting an effect, with a related branch denoting strenuous striving, toil, and effortful earning.
The physical sense of scratching or lacerating is presented as the underlying line from which exerted work and earning are developed. The Quranic forms use the labor-and-exertion branch for one who labors toward the Lord and for that labor itself.
- Maqāyīs · row 3947
- 2
- 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.
كَادِح
kādiḥ
- 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.
One who labors and strives, exerting himself in work; in the Quranic usage, one laboring toward his Lord until the meeting with Him.
In كَادِحٌ إِلَى رَبِّكَ, the construction expresses sustained effort toward one's Lord, including work whose outcome is good or evil for the worker.
- Lane · entry 27981
- Lane · entry 27985
- Mufradāt · row 1237
Selected Quran examples
Quran 84:6word 4
“(are) laboring”
كَدْح
kadḥ
- 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.
Strenuous striving, toil, and the hardship attending such effort.
In كَادِحٌ إِلَى رَبِّكَ كَدْحًا, the verbal noun denotes the exertion of laboring toward one's Lord.
- Lane · entry 27981
- Mufradāt · row 1237
Selected Quran examples
Quran 84:6word 7
“(with) exertion”
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 8 Classical meanings
كَدَحَ
To seek or obtain sustenance for one's family; to gain, acquire, or earn.
Attested in the construction كَدَحَ لِعِيَالِهِ, with the effort directed toward providing for a family or household.
- Lane · entry 27981
كَدَحَ
To scratch or lacerate a face, thereby disfiguring it; figuratively, to mar an affair.
Used with the face in the physical sense and with an affair in the figurative sense.
- Lane · entry 27981
كَدَّحَ
To scratch or lacerate intensely, repeatedly, or in many places.
An intensified Form II construction describing extensive or repeated scratching or laceration.
- Lane · entry 27981
كَدَحَ
To separate the hair with a comb.
Used of combing or parting the hair.
- Lane · entry 27981
كَدْح
A scratch or laceration of the skin; a mark made by scratching or biting, more extensive than خَدْش.
The plural is كُدُوحٌ.
- Lane · entry 27984
كَدْح
A lesser tooth-biting or tooth-abrading action, analogous to كَدْم.
A reported tooth-related use in which كَدْح denotes a degree below كَدْم.
- Mufradāt · row 1237
تَكَدَّحَ
To become scratched or lacerated repeatedly or extensively; to become badly broken in the skin.
An intransitive Form V construction describing a subject undergoing extensive bodily laceration.
- Lane · entry 27983
مُكَدَّح
Much lacerated by the bites of other asses.
A conventional description of an ass, including a wild ass, whose skin has been lacerated by such bites.
- Lane · entry 27986