Quranic root
كنن
k · n · n
The root centers on covering, concealing, and safeguarding something from exposure.
Its semantic field extends from placing something in a protective enclosure to inward concealment, shelters and coverings, protected or preserved things, and named protective structures or implements. The kinship term كَنَّةٌ is treated as an anomalous branch rather than a direct development of this principle.
- Maqāyīs · row 4040
- Mufradāt · row 1270
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 12
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
أَكْنَنَ
ʾaknana
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- Quran occurrences
- 3 occurrences
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 conceal or keep hidden.
In 2:235 it concerns something concealed inwardly; in 27:74 and 28:69 it expresses concealment more generally.
- Mufradāt · row 1270
Selected Quran examples
كِنَانٌ
kinānun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 4 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A covering or protective barrier; in the Quran, coverings placed over hearts and understood as obstructing comprehension.
The Quranic form is the plural أَكِنَّة and occurs in the construction of coverings over hearts, where the covering functions figuratively as a barrier to understanding.
- Mufradāt · row 1270
Selected Quran examples
Quran 6:25word 8
“coverings”
Quran 17:46word 4
“coverings”
Quran 18:57word 17
“coverings”
Quran 41:5word 4
“coverings”
كِنٌّ
kinnun
- 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.
A shelter or protective enclosure that conceals and safeguards what is within.
The Quranic plural أَكْنَان refers specifically to mountain shelters or enclosures; the same lexical branch includes places of retreat such as caves, excavated chambers, wall shelters, and comparable protective coverings.
- Mufradāt · row 1270
- Lane · entry 32956
Selected Quran examples
Quran 16:81word 11
“shelters”
مَكْنُونٌ
maknūnun
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- Quran occurrences
- 4 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Kept concealed and protected within a covering, and therefore shielded from ordinary exposure.
Describes protected beings or objects, including the Quranic comparisons with protected eggs and pearls.
- Mufradāt · row 1270
Selected Quran examples
Preserved and guarded from exposure, loss, or alteration, especially a divinely safeguarded book or record.
In كِتَابٍ مَكْنُونٍ at 56:78, the wording supports the shared notion of guarded preservation; exegetical interpretations include the Preserved Tablet, believers' hearts, or something preserved with God.
- Mufradāt · row 1270
Selected Quran examples
Quran 56:78word 3
“well-guarded”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:235أَكْنَنتُمْyou conceal it
- 6:25أَكِنَّةًcoverings
- 16:81أَكْنَـٰنًۭاshelters
- 17:46أَكِنَّةًcoverings
- 18:57أَكِنَّةًcoverings
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 5 Classical meanings
كِنَانَةٌ
A quiver, specifically one that is not split or open.
A named implement rather than the general noun for a covering.
- Mufradāt · row 1270
كُنَّةٌ
A wing-like projection or awning extending from a wall and serving as a shelter.
A structural covering or projection attached to a building.
- Maqāyīs · row 4040
كَانُونٌ
A fireplace or place in which a fire is lit.
A concrete architectural term associated with covering or enclosing what lies beneath.
- Lane · entry 32959
كَانُونٌ
A heavy or burdensome person.
Reported as an occasional figurative designation rather than the ordinary meaning of the noun.
- Maqāyīs · row 4040
كَنَّةٌ
A daughter-in-law, specifically a son's wife.
A kinship term treated as an anomalous lexical branch.
- Maqāyīs · row 4040
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The public headwords كِنَانٌ and كِنٌّ are normalized singular citation forms for the Quranic plural groups أَكِنَّة and أَكْنَان; their occurrence counts remain those of the supplied Quran form groups.
The interpretation of كِتَابٍ مَكْنُونٍ includes several reported readings, so the sense is stated as guarded preservation without selecting one particular exegetical referent.