Quranic root
محو
m · ḥ · w
The root expresses causing something to go away, especially by removing its trace or effect.
The basic orientation develops from making clouds or other things pass away to erasing writing, traces, signs, or effects. The noun مَحْوَةٌ for the north wind is explained through its dispersing of clouds.
- Maqāyīs · row 4310
- Mufradāt · row 1350
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 3
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
مَحَا
maḥā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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 efface, erase, obliterate, or cancel something, causing it or its trace or effect to disappear.
A transitive Form I verb of removal and disappearance. In the Quran it is used for divine erasure, including erasing what is willed and erasing a sign; the same general removal sense covers making something pass away or cancelling its effect.
- Lane · entry 5646
- Mufradāt · row 1350
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:39word 1
“(Is) eliminated”
Quran 17:12word 5
“Then We erased”
Quran 42:24word 13
“And Allah eliminates”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 3 occurrences