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Quranic root

متن

m · t · n

A root principle of solidity or firmness combined with extension and length.

The physical base appears in firm elevated ground, the back and its solid paired flesh, and the hard or central parts of objects. It extends figuratively to strength, making something strong, strenuous distance, and other forms of firmness or extension.

  • Maqāyīs · row 4283
  • Mufradāt · row 1342
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.

مَتِين

matīn

Part of speech
Adjective · also substantivized
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.

  1. Strong and firm; possessing strength or firmness to a high degree.

    Used adjectivally for a firm quality or thing, and substantivized with the definite article in the divine epithet “the Strong.”

    • Lane · entry 5609
    • Mufradāt · row 1342
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 7:183word 5

    (is) firm

    Quran 68:45word 5

    (is) firm

    Quran 51:58word 7

    the Strong

Occurrences in the Quran

Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.

  • 7:183مَتِينٌ(is) firm
  • 51:58ٱلْمَتِينُthe Strong
  • 68:45مَتِينٌ(is) firm
View all 3 occurrences

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 19 Classical meanings
  • مَتَّنَ

    To make or render something strong, stout, firm, or hard.

    Derived Form II causative use.

    • Lane · entry 5606
  • مَتَّنَ

    To season a skin with rob, or inspissated juice.

    A specialized treatment of skins.

    • Lane · entry 5606
  • مَتْن

    The back, especially the firm fleshy portions alongside the backbone; the erector-spinae region.

    The paired form مَتْنَانِ or مَتْنَتَانِ denotes the two sides or portions of the back.

    • Lane · entry 5607
  • مَتْن

    The broad side or middle portion of a sword blade, including its raised central ridge.

    A specific term for the blade’s broad central surface or ridge.

    • Lane · entry 5607
  • مَتْن

    The hard outer or apparent part of a thing.

    A general term for a thing’s hard, visible exterior.

    • Lane · entry 5607
  • مَتْن

    The middle of a bow or spear.

    Denotes the central section of the implement.

    • Lane · entry 5607
  • مَتْن

    The part between two poles of a house or tent.

    A structural term for the span between the poles.

    • Lane · entry 5607
  • مَتْن

    Elevated, level, or plain ground; especially hard elevated ground.

    Descriptions vary between elevated plain ground and hard elevated terrain.

    • Lane · entry 5607
  • مَتْنُ الفَرَسِ

    One of the four bright stars in Pegasus, specifically the star at the extremity of the neck.

    An astronomical proper-name usage.

    • Lane · entry 5607
  • مَتْن

    A transmitted tradition or report, especially one attributed to Muhammad or one of his Companions.

    A technical or scholarly term equivalent to a hadith, report, or transmitted account.

    • Lane · entry 5607
  • أَمْتَنُ حَلَاوَةً

    Sweeter; more sweet.

    Comparative construction with حَلَاوَةً.

    • Lane · entry 5610
  • تَمْتِين

    The threads or strings of tents.

    A specialized tent-making term.

    • Lane · entry 5612
  • مَتُنَ

    To become strong or acquire firmness.

    Intransitive development into the quality expressed by مَتِين.

    • Mufradāt · row 1342
  • مَتَنَ

    To strike someone on the back.

    The back-oriented construction may specify striking with a whip.

    • Maqāyīs · row 4283
    • Mufradāt · row 1342
  • مَتَنَ يَوْمَهُ

    To travel through or spend the whole day in movement.

    A figurative extension from traversing an extended span.

    • Maqāyīs · row 4283
  • مُمَاتَنَة

    To go far or travel a long, strenuous distance; to extend or separate to the utmost.

    Also describes a journey that is severe and far-reaching.

    • Maqāyīs · row 4283
  • مَاتَنَهُ

    To delay or procrastinate with someone.

    A conventional Form III usage.

    • Maqāyīs · row 4283
  • مُمَاتَنَةُ الشَّاعِرَيْنِ

    To engage in a poetic exchange, with each of two poets composing a verse in turn.

    A conventional description of poets extending a contest toward an intended end.

    • Maqāyīs · row 4283
  • مَتَنَ الدَّابَّةَ

    To slit an animal’s scrotum and extract its testicle.

    A rare veterinary usage explicitly reported as exceptional.

    • Maqāyīs · row 4283

Cautions

Points that affect how this root should be read.

  • The three Quran occurrences form one QAC nominal group, tagged as two nouns and one adjective; the public headword is normalized to مَتِين, with the substantivized use retained in its usage conditions.