Quranic root
نسر
n · s · r
A root oriented toward snatching, plucking, or taking something away, especially in small portions.
The semantic development runs from a bird's pecking or plucking of food to the bird itself and its beak, with figurative extensions to seizing, advance troops, and related objects or actions.
- Maqāyīs · row 4619
- Mufradāt · row 1436
- 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.
نَسْرٌ
nasrun
- Part of speech
- Proper noun · Idol name
- 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.
Nasr, the name of an idol.
In Qur'an 71:23, it occurs as a proper name in the list of idols associated with the people of Noah. Traditional explanations also describe the name as referring to an image made after a righteous man and later worshipped.
- Lane · entry 43652
- Mufradāt · row 1436
Selected Quran examples
Quran 71:23word 13
“and Nasr”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 71:23وَنَسْرًۭاand Nasr
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 12 Classical meanings
نَسْرٌ
Pecking, plucking, or taking something little by little, like a bird taking food with its beak.
A verbal noun associated with نَسَرَ.
- Mufradāt · row 1436
نَسَرَ
To peck at or pluck something with the beak, taking it bit by bit; especially, for a bird, to pluck flesh.
The basic verbal use describes a bird or bird of prey acting with its beak; it is also used more generally for taking something in small portions.
- Lane · entry 43650
- Mufradāt · row 1436
نَسَرَ
To blame, find fault with, or speak ill of someone in his absence, saying what would grieve him if heard.
A figurative verbal use referring to disparaging or backbiting speech.
- Lane · entry 43650
اِسْتَنْسَرَ
To become a vulture or to become like a vulture in strength; figuratively, for the weak to become strong.
Form X; also used in the proverb about an ignoble bird becoming strong in a favorable environment.
- Lane · entry 43651
نَسْرٌ
A vulture or other bird of prey known for plucking and swallowing or tearing away flesh.
The precise bird identification varies in the lexical reports; some accounts apply the word to an eagle or another bird of prey. Plurals include أَنْسُرٌ and نُسُورٌ.
- Lane · entry 43652
- Mufradāt · row 1436
نَسْرٌ
Either of two prominent stars or asterisms known together as the Two Vultures: the Falling Vulture and the Flying Vulture.
The Falling Vulture is associated with Lyra, and the Flying Vulture with Aquila; each may individually be called نَسْرٌ.
- Lane · entry 43652
- Mufradāt · row 1436
نَسْرٌ
The frog or hard fleshy or horny portion in the sole of the solid hoof of a horse, ass, or mule.
The word may refer to the hard protuberance within the hoof, the tough flesh there, or the hoof's inner sole more generally; its plural is نُسُورٌ.
- Lane · entry 43652
- Mufradāt · row 1436
نِسْرِينٌ
A fragrant flower, especially the wild rose, dog-rose, sweet brier, or a related flower.
The term is reported as an Arabicized Persian word, and the precise flower identification varies.
- Lane · entry 43655
نُسَارِيَّةٌ
An eagle.
The bird is likened to the نَسْر.
- Lane · entry 43656
نَاسُورٌ
A chronic discharging disease or lesion, especially affecting the inner corners of the eyes, the area around the anus, or the gum; also a recurrent vein or lesion that breaks out again after appearing to heal.
An Arabicized medical term, also reported with ص in place of س; some medical usage applies its plural to deep ulcers near the anus.
- Lane · entry 43657
مِنْسَرٌ
The beak of a bird of prey, especially a hawk or falcon.
The beak of other birds is generally called مِنْقَارٌ. A related vocalized form مَنْسِرٌ is cross-referenced to this entry.
- Lane · entry 43658
مِنْسَرٌ
An advance detachment of an army, or a troop of horsemen; by extension, an army that snatches away whatever it passes.
Reported troop sizes vary among authorities; the military sense is likened to a bird's beak or to a force that seizes things as it advances.
- Lane · entry 43658
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic occurrence is a proper name for an idol; the ordinary common noun نَسْرٌ meaning a vulture is a separate Classical Arabic use of the same written form.