Quranic root
كلح
k · l · ḥ
The root centers on a grimacing, stern, or distorted expression of the face, especially with the lips drawn back and the teeth exposed.
Classical extensions include the mouth and surrounding parts, severe or barren times, and derived or figurative uses involving causing the expression, smiling, lightning, and affliction.
- Maqāyīs · row 4022
- Lane · entry 28460
- Lane · entry 28465
- Lane · entry 28467
- Lane · entry 28468
- Lane · entry 28464
- Lane · entry 28470
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- 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.
كَالِحٌ
kāliḥun
- 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.
Having the lips drawn back from the teeth, grimacing with a stern, morose, or frowning expression.
Quranic active-participle use describing faces marked by this distorted expression; the expression involves displaying or exposing the teeth rather than a neutral facial posture.
- Lane · entry 28460
- Lane · entry 28468
Selected Quran examples
Quran 23:104word 6
“(will) grin with displaced lips”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 23:104كَـٰلِحُونَ(will) grin with displaced lips
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 11 Classical meanings
كَلَحَ
To frighten someone by grimacing in his face.
A construction with فِي وَجْهِهِ, expressing the frightening effect of the grimace.
- Lane · entry 28460
كَلَّحَ
To contract the face intensely.
Form II usage, especially with the face as object.
- Lane · entry 28461
مُكَالَحَةٌ
Contending with someone for superiority in strength.
A verbal noun describing a contest of strength.
- Lane · entry 28462
أَكْلَحَ
To make someone grin or display the teeth while frowning or contracting the face.
Transitive Form IV causative usage.
- Lane · entry 28463
تَكَلَّحَ
To smile.
An extended or figurative Form V usage.
- Lane · entry 28464
تَكَلَّحَ
Of lightning, to flash in continued succession; also to continue and become concealed in a white cloud.
Figurative usage applied to lightning and its intermittent concealment.
- Lane · entry 28464
كَلَحَةٌ
The mouth and the parts surrounding it.
An anatomical noun referring to the mouth region.
- Lane · entry 28465
كُلَاحٌ
A year of dearth, scarcity, drought, sterility, or barrenness.
Used in expressions for a barren or impoverished year.
- Lane · entry 28467
كَالِحٌ
Severe, distressing, or afflictive, of fortune or time.
Used in the construction دَهْرٌ كَالِحٌ and related descriptions of harsh circumstances.
- Lane · entry 28468
كَوْلَحٌ
Foul, unseemly, or ugly.
An epithet applied to a person.
- Lane · entry 28469
مُكْلِحٌ
A trial or affliction whose severity makes people grin and frown.
An adjective describing a severe ordeal or affliction.
- Lane · entry 28470
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
Lane's printed Quran reference for the participial use is reported as “Kur xxiii. 106” in the evidence; it is not treated as a modern verse location. The Quran example here uses the independently supplied QAC occurrence at 23:104:6.