Quranic root
نفح
n · f · ḥ
The root centers on something being propelled, emitted, or spread outward.
This outward movement develops into the spreading of scent, the blowing of wind, the ejection of blood or milk, forceful propulsion, striking, and the bestowal of gifts or benefits.
- Maqāyīs · row 4703
- Mufradāt · row 1464
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 1
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
نَفْحَة
nafḥah
- 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 sudden blast or portion of punishment; a single infliction.
In the Quranic construction نَفْحَةٌ مِنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّكَ, it denotes a sudden visitation or blast of divine punishment.
- Lane · entry 44122
- Mufradāt · row 1464
Selected Quran examples
Quran 21:46word 3
“a whiff”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 21:46نَفْحَةٌۭa whiff
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 28 Classical meanings
نَفَحَ
To diffuse an odour; of perfume, to spread its fragrance.
Used of perfume or another scented substance whose odour spreads.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَفَحَ
Of wind, to blow or waft upon something.
The blowing may be gentle or cool; the verb can also describe the wind beginning to stir.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَفَحَ
To eject or spurt forth blood.
Used of a vein or a stab wound that sends out blood.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَفَحَ
To churn milk once.
A single act of churning is expressed by the construction نَفَحَ اللَّبَنَ نَفْحَةً.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَفَحَ
To strike or hit, especially lightly with a sword by a side-blow.
With a sword, the action may involve reaching or hitting something from a distance; the verb also has the broader sense ‘to smite or beat’.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَفَحَ
To throw or cast.
A general transitive use describing the act of casting something.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَفَحَ
To thrust, push, or repel something away.
The object is moved away from the agent.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَفَحَ
Of a horse or similar animal, to kick with a hind leg or hoof.
The action is distinguished from رَمْحٌ, which is described as striking with both hind legs together.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَفَحَ
To give something; to bestow a gift or favour.
Used with a person as recipient and a thing, gift, or favour as what is bestowed.
- Lane · entry 44120
نَافَحَ
To contend with or encounter an opponent face-to-face in combat.
The conventional image is of opposing parties coming so close in battle that each can reach the other’s breath, with neither shields nor another barrier before the face.
- Lane · entry 44121
نَافَحَ
To contend on behalf of someone; to defend or repel attack from him.
Used with عَنْ to express defence or repulsion on another’s behalf.
- Lane · entry 44121
نَفْحَة
An odour, whether pleasant or foul; also a plentiful odour.
The noun can describe a good or bad smell and is used in expressions such as نَفْحَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ and نَفْحَةٌ خَبِيثَةٌ.
- Lane · entry 44122
نَفْحَة
A blast or breath of wind.
The blast may be pleasant and fragrant, or hot and grievous, depending on the wind described.
- Lane · entry 44122
نَفْحَة
The first gush of blood from a wound.
A specialized use for the initial emission of blood after wounding.
- Lane · entry 44122
نَفْحَة
A single churning of milk.
A nominal expression for one act of churning.
- Lane · entry 44122
نَفْحَة
A gift, favour, or act of kindness.
The plural نَفَحَات can denote recurring benefactions or favours and can be used metaphorically of breaths of mercy.
- Lane · entry 44122
نَفُوح
A wind that blows forcefully and raises dust; also a cool-blowing south wind.
The adjective describes the force or character of the wind.
- Lane · entry 44123
نَفُوح
An animal that kicks with a hind leg or the extremity of its hoof.
Used adjectivally of a horse or similar animal liable to kick in this manner.
- Lane · entry 44123
نَفُوح
A she-camel whose milk flows without being drawn; also an udder that does not retain its milk.
The animal or udder is characterized by milk issuing freely without milking.
- Lane · entry 44123
نَفُوح
A bow that sends an arrow far or propels it with force.
The word is used of the bow’s powerful or far-reaching propulsion.
- Lane · entry 44123
نَفُوح
A branch of the nabʿ tree from which a bow is made.
This is a specialized designation associated with the material used for such a bow.
- Lane · entry 44123
نَفَّاح
Diffusing much odour or fragrance.
Used of musk or another substance that spreads a strong scent.
- Lane · entry 44125
نَفَّاح
Of a stab, ejecting blood abundantly or quickly.
A descriptive adjective for a wound whose blood issues forcefully or rapidly.
- Lane · entry 44125
نَفَّاح
One who gives many gifts or benefits.
Used of a person characterized by abundant generosity.
- Lane · entry 44125
النَّفَّاح
A bestower of many benefits; an epithet applied to God.
The epithet is reported as a lexical usage, though some authorities disapproved of it because it was not applied in the Quran or traditions.
- Lane · entry 44125
نَافِح
Diffusing odour; fragrant.
Used adjectivally of a fragrant object or substance.
- Lane · entry 44126
إِنْفَحَة
Rennet or the rennet-bag of a young ruminant, used to thicken milk into cheese.
The term refers to the substance or stomach portion of a suckling kid or lamb before it begins eating; related forms include أَنْفِحَة and بِنْفَحَة.
- Lane · entry 44127
إِنْفَحَة
A kind of tree resembling the eggplant.
A separate botanical use of the noun.
- Lane · entry 44127
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The sole Quran occurrence is in the construction نَفْحَةٌ مِنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّكَ; the broader odour, wind, gift, and other branches are Classical Arabic meanings rather than additional Quranic occurrences.