Quranic root
نسف
n · s · f
A basic principle of removing or exposing something by taking it away from its place or surface.
The root develops from removal and uncovering to wind-driven carrying away, uprooting, eradication, and related material or figurative changes.
- Maqāyīs · row 4622
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- 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.
نَسَفَ
nasafa
- 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 uproot, remove, carry away, or scatter something.
Used for the removal or dispersal of an object from its place; the Quran also uses the passive form for something being scattered or blown away.
- Lane · entry 32207
- Mufradāt · row 1437
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:105word 5
“Will blast them”
Quran 77:10word 3
“are blown away”
To cast something away into water in a dust-like dispersal.
A specific Quranic construction in which the object is thrown into the sea as scattered dust or fine material.
- Mufradāt · row 1437
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:97word 25
“certainly we will scatter it”
نَسْف
nasf
- Part of speech
- Verbal noun
- 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.
Scattering, uprooting, carrying away, or casting away as dust.
The verbal noun of نَسَفَ; in the Quran it describes dispersal into dust-like particles and the casting of an object away in that manner.
- Lane · entry 32207
- Mufradāt · row 1437
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:97word 28
“(in) particles”
Quran 20:105word 7
“(into) particles”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 20:97لَنَنسِفَنَّهُۥcertainly we will scatter it
- 20:97نَسْفًا(in) particles
- 20:105يَنسِفُهَاWill blast them
- 20:105نَسْفًۭا(into) particles
- 77:10نُسِفَتْare blown away
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 7 Classical meanings
نَسُوف
A camel that throws up earth with its forefoot.
A specialized description of the camel's action in casting soil.
- Mufradāt · row 1437
نُسَافَة
Dust raised from the earth; by analogy, foam.
The foam sense is an analogical extension from material that rises or is cast off like dust.
- Mufradāt · row 1437
نَسْفَان
Of a vessel, filled so that foam or froth rises over it.
Used in the expression إِناءٌ نَسْفَانٌ for a vessel in this condition.
- Mufradāt · row 1437
اِنْتَسَفَ
Of a color, to become altered from its former hue, as though covered with dust.
An idiomatic Form VIII use describing a change in the appearance of a color.
- Mufradāt · row 1437
نَسْفَة
A stone used to scrape dirt from the foot.
A specialized implement for removing dirt from the foot.
- Mufradāt · row 1437
نَسِيف
Of speech, altered and slight or scant in substance.
A figurative description of speech that has become changed and diminished.
- Mufradāt · row 1437
مِنْسَف
A vessel in which dates or grain are shaken to remove dust and other residue.
A named implement associated with separating dust from dates or grain.
- Lane · entry 32209
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic contextual renderings “scatter,” “blast,” “blown away,” and “particles” reflect related forms and constructions rather than separate meanings for every English gloss.