Quranic root
رغم
r · gh · m
The root develops from two related orientations: contact with earth or dust, and a route or means of departure.
The dust image yields the notions of pressing the nose to the ground, abasement, compulsion, dislike, and frustrated inability to obtain one's due. A separate lexical branch gives مُرَاغَمٌ as a way, escape, or refuge to which one withdraws or emigrates.
- Maqāyīs · row 2089
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- 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.
مُرَاغَمٌ
murāghamun
- Part of speech
- Passive participle · substantivized
- 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 way or means of departure, separation, or escape—a route by which one leaves or withdraws from an adverse situation.
In the Quranic construction مُرَاغَمًا كَثِيرًا, this may be understood as a way to go elsewhere when one must distance oneself from wrongdoing or opposition; the departure can be framed as contrary to others' wishes.
- Lane · entry 23845
- Mufradāt · row 565
A place of refuge or a destination to which one emigrates, flees, or transfers oneself; a secure retreat or stronghold.
The word can emphasize the place reached rather than the route taken. Classical interpretations of the Quranic passage include a fortified place.
- Lane · entry 23845
- Mufradāt · row 565
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:100word 9
“place(s) of refuge”
A place or sphere in which one moves about while seeking the means of subsistence.
This is an interpretation of the same Quranic noun that emphasizes movement and livelihood-seeking rather than refuge.
- Lane · entry 23845
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 4:100مُرَٰغَمًۭاplace(s) of refuge
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 20 Classical meanings
رَغْمٌ
The nose's cleaving or adhesion to earth or dust; also used in an imprecation wishing such abasement.
The expression may be understood literally or figuratively, with the figurative sense referring to humiliation.
- Lane · entry 23826
- Lane · entry 23829
- Lane · entry 23831
- Lane · entry 23839
رَغْمٌ
Abasement, humility, or submissiveness, especially submission imposed against one's will.
The same branch is expressed verbally by رَغِمَ and أَرْغَمَ, and in Form II by imposing or causing abasement.
- Lane · entry 23826
- Lane · entry 23827
- Lane · entry 23829
- Lane · entry 23831
- Lane · entry 23839
رَغِمَ
To be unable to obtain one's right or due.
This is a figurative extension of the image of the nose being pressed to the ground.
- Lane · entry 23826
- Lane · entry 23839
رَغَمَهُ
To force or compel someone to do something against his will, including something he cannot refuse or resist.
The construction can also describe doing something to another person against his will so as to vex or anger him.
- Lane · entry 23826
- Lane · entry 23827
- Lane · entry 23829
رَغِمَهُ
To dislike, disapprove of, or hate something; to do something despite another's dislike or against his wishes.
The verbal noun occurs in expressions equivalent to “in spite of him” or “notwithstanding his objection.”
- Lane · entry 23826
- Lane · entry 23831
- Lane · entry 23839
مُرَاغَمَةٌ
Breaking off from, separating from, or abandoning someone in anger or hostility; becoming estranged or withdrawing from a group.
The construction may involve leaving one's people, cutting off friendly communion, or opposing them against their wishes.
- Lane · entry 23828
مُرَاغَمَةٌ
To have no want, need, or requirement for something, and not to be unable to attain it.
This is a specialized usage of the Form III verbal expression.
- Lane · entry 23828
أَرْغَمَهُ
To cast something onto earth or dust.
The verb is used of throwing an object from the mouth or hand onto the ground, as well as of making a nose cleave to the dust.
- Lane · entry 23829
أَرْغَمَهُ
To anger, vex, or wrong someone.
This is a causative or figurative use associated with imposing displeasure or abasement on another person.
- Lane · entry 23829
تَرَغَّمَ
To become angry or angered, in speech or otherwise.
The active participial description رَاغِمٌ may likewise mean angry.
- Lane · entry 23830
- Lane · entry 23839
رَغَامٌ
Earth, dust, or sand.
Authorities differ over whether the word most specifically denotes soft, fine, mixed, or non-flowing sand; it can also name a particular sandy tract.
- Lane · entry 23836
رُغَامَةٌ
A thing that one desires, seeks, or hopes to obtain.
The word is used of a sought-for object or advantage possessed or expected from another person.
- Lane · entry 23837
رُغَامَى
The nose, or the nose together with the parts surrounding it.
The plural مَرَاغِمُ is also used in this anatomical sense.
- Lane · entry 23838
رُغَامَى
The accessory or appendage of the liver.
This anatomical meaning is distinguished from the sense denoting the nose.
- Lane · entry 23838
رُغَامَى
The tubes or tube of the lungs, including the bronchial passage or windpipe.
This sense is attributed to some authorities and is distinct from the nasal and hepatic uses.
- Lane · entry 23838
رُغَامَى
A certain plant, given as a dialectal variant of رُخَامَى.
This is a lexical plant name rather than an anatomical use.
- Lane · entry 23838
رَاغِمٌ
Fleeing or departing away.
The active participle also describes one who is abased, unable to obtain his due, angry, or disapproving, but those are separate uses.
- Lane · entry 23839
رَغْمَاءُ
A sheep or goat marked by whiteness or a differently colored patch at the tip of its nose.
The designation concerns the animal's nasal coloration.
- Lane · entry 23834
مَرْغَمَةٌ
A certain game of the Arabs.
This is an independent traditional game name.
- Lane · entry 23842
مِرْغَامَةٌ
A woman who angers her husband.
This is an agentive, gender-specific lexical designation recorded as a specialized usage.
- Lane · entry 23844
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The single Quran occurrence is morphologically tagged as a passive participle but functions substantivally as a route or refuge noun.
Authorities differ over the precise texture and composition of رَغَامٌ; the entry therefore preserves the broader earth, dust, and sand sense.