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Quranic root

قحم

q · ḥ · m

Forceful, unhesitating entry into something difficult, perilous, or resistant.

The root develops from plunging forward into affairs or formidable obstacles to related ideas of difficult passages, forceful movement, specialized camel and horse usages, disputes that drive a person into an unwanted course, and deprivation that drives people onward. These extensions describe the root's orientation and are not meanings of every Quranic form.

  • Maqāyīs · row 3729
  • Lane · entry 20850
  • Lane · entry 20851
  • Lane · entry 20852
2
Quran-attested forms
2
Quran senses
2
Quran occurrences

Forms in the Quran

The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.

اِقْتَحَمَ

āiqtaḥama

Part of speech
Verb · Form VIII
Form
VIII
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.

  1. To plunge into the midst of a frightening hardship; to undertake a formidable or perilous obstacle.

    Used for forceful entry into a difficult or dangerous matter. The Quranic construction اقتحم العقبة presents the obstacle as something formidable to be undertaken; contextual renderings such as “attempted” and “bursting” reflect this same lexical use.

    • Mufradāt · row 1159
    • Lane · entry 20852
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 90:11word 2

    he has attempted

مُقْتَحِم

muqtaḥim

Part of speech
Active participle
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.

  1. One who plunges into or bursts into a frighteningly difficult or perilous situation.

    Active-participial designation of a person or group entering a formidable situation; the Quranic usage in هذا فوج مقتحم portrays a group as entering into such severity.

    • Mufradāt · row 1159
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 38:59word 3

    bursting

Occurrences in the Quran

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

  • 38:59مُّقْتَحِمٌۭbursting
  • 90:11ٱقْتَحَمَhe has attempted
View all 2 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 4 Classical meanings
  • قَحَمَ، تَقَحَّمَ

    To throw oneself into an affair, or plunge or rush into it, without consideration.

    A broader Classical Arabic usage of the Form I and Form V derivatives, emphasizing rash entry into an affair.

    • Lane · entry 20850
    • Lane · entry 20851
  • تَقَحَّمَ

    To experience dearth, drought, or sterility.

    A distinct Form V usage referring to undergoing conditions of scarcity or barrenness.

    • Lane · entry 20851
  • قَحْمَةٌ

    An old woman.

    • Lane · entry 20853
  • مُقْحَمٌ، مُقْحَمَةٌ

    Redundant or foisted in; a word or letter inserted without reason.

    Applied to an unnecessary word or letter in textual or grammatical description.

    • Lane · entry 20854