Quranic root
ربص
r · b · ṣ
The root's central orientation is waiting in expectation.
The lexical field develops from remaining in expectancy to awaiting an event or its outcome. Related forms name the state or period of waiting, being placed in expectation, and— in broader Classical usage—holding goods while awaiting a favorable price.
- Maqāyīs · row 1949
- Mufradāt · row 523
- Lane · entry 22176
- Lane · entry 22177
- 3
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- Quran senses
- 17
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
تَرَبَّصَ
tarabbaṣa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form V
- Form
- V
- Quran occurrences
- 13 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 wait for, await, or expect a thing, event, or outcome.
In the Quran, this includes remaining through an appointed waiting period and awaiting what will befall oneself or another, whether favorable or adverse. The construction may take بِـ with the awaited person or thing, or a direct object.
- Lane · entry 22176
- Mufradāt · row 523
Selected Quran examples
مُتَرَبِّص
mutarabbiṣ
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- 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.
One who waits for, awaits, or expects a thing, event, or outcome.
An active participle from تَرَبَّصَ; the Quranic occurrences describe persons waiting in expectation of an outcome or event.
- Lane · entry 22176
- Mufradāt · row 523
Selected Quran examples
تَرَبُّص
tarabbuṣ
- Part of speech
- Verbal 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.
Waiting, awaiting, or expectation.
Denotes the act or state of waiting, including waiting through a specified period or for an event or outcome.
- Lane · entry 22176
- Mufradāt · row 523
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:226word 5
“(is a) waiting (of)”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:226تَرَبُّصُ(is a) waiting (of)
- 2:228يَتَرَبَّصْنَshall wait
- 2:234يَتَرَبَّصْنَ(the widows) should wait
- 4:141يَتَرَبَّصُونَare waiting
- 9:24فَتَرَبَّصُوا۟then wait
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 6 Classical meanings
رَبَصَ
To put someone in expectation; to make a person await a thing, affair, or event.
Used in the construction رَبَصَنِي الشيءُ, in which the thing or event places the person in expectation.
- Lane · entry 22175
تَرَبَّصَ
To wait for a favorable market price for a commodity, especially a time of high prices.
A commercial usage involving delaying disposition of goods while awaiting a rise or other favorable change in price.
- Lane · entry 22176
- Mufradāt · row 523
رُبْصَة
A state, period, or occasion of waiting or expectancy.
May describe tarrying in expectation concerning goods, a place, or an affair.
- Lane · entry 22177
- Mufradāt · row 523
رُبْصَة
A term granted to a husband judged incapable of sexual intercourse with his wife, after which separation occurs if he does not resume marital relations.
A specialized Classical Arabic marital and legal usage.
- Lane · entry 22177
مَرْبُوص
Placed in expectation or kept waiting.
Describes a person who has been put into a state of expectation; the source illustration does not restrict the meaning to a particular gender.
- Lane · entry 22178
مُتَرَبِّص
One who withholds or stockpiles wheat or similar goods while waiting for a time of high prices; a hoarder.
A specialized commercial usage involving withholding goods from the market.
- Lane · entry 22179
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The active participle is presented under the singular citation form مُتَرَبِّص although the Quranic attestations include plural and singular inflections.
The market-hoarding and specialized marital-term meanings are broader Classical Arabic usages and are kept separate from the Quranic waiting senses.