Quranic root
لين
l · y · n
The root centers on softness as opposed to roughness, extending to gentleness, ease, and receptivity.
Its semantic development runs from tactile or material softness to gentle conduct, ease of life, yielding acceptance, and causative softening.
- Maqāyīs · row 4268
- Mufradāt · row 1337
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 5
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
لَانَ
lāna
- 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 deal gently and mildly with others.
In 3:159, it describes gentle conduct toward people rather than harshness.
- Lane · entry 20788
- Mufradāt · row 1337
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:159word 5
“you dealt gently”
To soften and become yielding or receptive, accepting the truth after resistance.
In 39:23, it is used of skins and hearts becoming softened toward the remembrance of God; the construction conveys submission and acceptance after refusal or denial.
- Lane · entry 20788
- Mufradāt · row 1337
Selected Quran examples
Quran 39:23word 15
“relax”
أَلَانَ
ʾalāna
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- 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 make something soft, pliable, or relaxed.
In 34:10, the object is iron, which is made pliable. A separate medical use involving relaxation of the bowels is recorded in Classical Arabic.
- Lane · entry 20790
- Mufradāt · row 1337
Selected Quran examples
Quran 34:10word 10
“And We made pliable”
لَيِّنٌ
layyinun
- Part of speech
- Adjective
- 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.
Gentle, mild, or soft in manner.
In 20:44, it describes a gentle or mild manner of speech; the adjective is not restricted to a particular object class.
- Lane · entry 20795
- Mufradāt · row 1337
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:44word 4
“gentle”
لِينَةٌ
līnahun
- 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 soft or tender palm tree.
In 59:5, the term refers generally to a soft palm tree and is not restricted to one particular named variety.
- Lane · entry 20794
- Mufradāt · row 1337
Selected Quran examples
Quran 59:5word 4
“(the) palm-trees”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 3:159لِنتَyou dealt gently
- 20:44لَّيِّنًۭاgentle
- 34:10وَأَلَنَّاAnd We made pliable
- 39:23تَلِينُrelax
- 59:5لِّينَةٍ(the) palm-trees
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 8 Classical meanings
لَانَ
To be or become physically soft, smooth, pliant, supple, flexible, ductile, malleable, or lax.
Physical or material use, contrasted with roughness or harshness.
- Lane · entry 20788
لَانَ
For the bowels to become relaxed.
A physiological construction concerning the condition of the bowels.
- Lane · entry 20788
لَانَ
To relent or give way.
Used of a person who abandons firmness or resistance.
- Lane · entry 20788
لَايَنَ
To treat someone gently; to soothe, coax, or wheedle him, especially with words.
Transitive interpersonal use, including gentleness, blandishment, and verbal coaxing.
- Lane · entry 20789
أَلَانَ
To relax the bowels.
A medical use, said of a medicine.
- Lane · entry 20790
لِينُ العَيْشِ
Softness, delicateness, or ease of life.
A conventional expression concerning comfortable or easy living.
- Lane · entry 20793
لَيِّنٌ
Soft, delicate, or easy, especially when describing life.
Used in the expression عَيْشٌ لَيِّنٌ.
- Lane · entry 20795
مُلَيِّنٌ
A lenitive or laxative medicine.
A medical or pharmaceutical use.
- Lane · entry 20796
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The QAC Form I group combines two inflected occurrences under the normalized citation form لَانَ; their aspect and voice annotations differ across the occurrences.