Quranic root
كيل
k · y · l
The principal lexical branch of كيل concerns measuring and the regulated allocation of measured quantities.
The measuring branch extends from measuring food or goods to giving and taking a measured amount, the measured quantity itself, and the instrument or capacity used for measuring. Classical sources also record separate homonymous branches unrelated to measurement.
- Maqāyīs · row 4079
- Mufradāt · row 1281
- Lane · entry 33008
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 16
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
كَالَ
kāla
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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 measure out food or goods for someone, and hence to give them a measured amount.
The construction may express measuring for another party or giving something to someone by measure; the complements determine the direction of the measuring transaction.
- Mufradāt · row 1281
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:35word 4
“you measure”
Quran 83:3word 2
“they give by measure (to) them”
اِكْتَالَ
āiktāla
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VIII
- Form
- VIII
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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 take or obtain a measured quantity.
Often used for taking a measure from another party; with عَلَيْهِ, the construction can mean taking a measure from him or them.
- Mufradāt · row 1281
- Lane · entry 33005
Selected Quran examples
Quran 12:63word 13
“(that) we will get measure”
Quran 83:2word 3
“they take a measure”
كَيْل
kayl
- Part of speech
- Noun · verbal noun / measure
- Quran occurrences
- 10 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.
The act or practice of measuring out food or goods.
Used for the process or practice of measuring, especially in commands or transactions involving measured allotments.
- Mufradāt · row 1281
Selected Quran examples
Quran 12:88word 15
“the measure”
A measured quantity or allotment; in كَيْلُ بَعِيرٍ, the amount carried by a camel.
This sense denotes the quantity assigned or obtained by measuring, including a specified load or portion.
- Mufradāt · row 1281
Selected Quran examples
Quran 12:65word 21
“measure”
مِكْيَال
mikyāl
- Part of speech
- Noun · measuring instrument
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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 measuring vessel or instrument; a measure of capacity.
The term can denote either the implement or the capacity standard by which commodities are measured.
- Lane · entry 33008
Selected Quran examples
Quran 11:84word 16
“(from) the measure”
Quran 11:85word 3
“measure”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 6:152ٱلْكَيْلَ[the] measure
- 7:85ٱلْكَيْلَ[the] measure
- 11:84ٱلْمِكْيَالَ(from) the measure
- 11:85ٱلْمِكْيَالَmeasure
- 12:59ٱلْكَيْلَ[the] measure
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 3 Classical meanings
كَيَّال
A person who measures grain and similar commodities.
An occupational or agent noun referring to one who performs measuring.
- Lane · entry 33007
كَالَ
Of a firestick: to fail to produce fire.
A separate homonymous Classical Arabic usage specifically predicated of the firestick or fire-drill.
- Maqāyīs · row 4079
كَيُّول
The rear of the line in battle.
A separate military term for the back or rear rank of a battle formation.
- Maqāyīs · row 4079
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Form I translations “measure” and “give by measure” reflect related argument structures of the same measuring branch rather than separate lexical meanings.
The firestick and battle-line terms are recorded as separate homonymous Classical Arabic branches, not as developments of the Quranic measuring vocabulary.