Quranic root
ركم
r · k · m
The root centers on gathering material by placing one part upon another, producing a heap or accumulated mass.
The concrete act of piling develops into names for heaps and masses, states of density or buildup, and figurative applications such as accumulated flesh or a road's worn central track.
- Maqāyīs · row 2129
- Mufradāt · row 582
- Lane · entry 24365
- Lane · entry 24370
- Lane · entry 24372
- 3
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- Quran senses
- 3
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
رَكَمَ
rakama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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.
To heap, pile, or accumulate one thing upon another.
In the Quranic construction, things or persons are brought together into a heap or accumulated mass.
- Lane · entry 24365
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:37word 11
“and heap them”
مَرْكُوم
markūm
- Part of speech
- Passive 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.
Heaped up, piled one upon another, or accumulated.
In the Quranic usage, the adjective describes clouds gathered and piled into a mass.
- Mufradāt · row 582
Selected Quran examples
Quran 52:44word 9
“heaped up”
رُكَام
rukām
- Part of speech
- 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.
A mass or heap formed by things piled one upon another.
In the Quranic passage, it refers to a mass formed as clouds are gathered and heaped together.
- Mufradāt · row 582
- Lane · entry 24370
Selected Quran examples
Quran 24:43word 12
“(into) a mass”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 3 occurrencesBroader 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
تَرَاكَمَ
To become heaped, piled up, or accumulated.
Form VI, expressing a change into a piled or accumulated state; applied to clouds, occupations, darkness becoming dense, and flesh becoming accumulated and fat.
- Lane · entry 24366
رُكْمَة
A heap or lump of clay, mud, earth, or dust collected together.
A concrete collected or apparently heaped mass.
- Lane · entry 24369
رُكَام
A large herd, flock, or comparable group, figuratively likened to a heap.
A figurative application to a large gathered group.
- Lane · entry 24370
مَرْكُوم
Fat, as an epithet for a she-camel.
A figurative application associated with flesh accumulated through fattening.
- Lane · entry 24371
مَرْكُوم
Densely dark, as though layers of darkness were piled upon one another.
Applied as an epithet to midnight or the middle of the night.
- Lane · entry 24371
مُرْتَكَم
The main or middle part of a road.
A conventional designation of the road's traveled track, explained through the accumulation of tracks left by passersby.
- Lane · entry 24372
- Mufradāt · row 582
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
A classical Quran citation associated with the Form VI darkness usage is preserved only as lexical context; it is not converted into a modern verse location because no corresponding QAC occurrence for that Form VI expression is supplied.