Quranic root
ركن
r · k · n
The root centers on strength, especially the strongest side or supporting part of a thing.
From the idea of a strong side or support, the root develops meanings of relying on or inclining toward something, firmness and stability, and various concrete and technical applications.
- Maqāyīs · row 2130
- Mufradāt · row 583
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- Quran senses
- 4
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
رَكَنَ
rakana
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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 incline toward; to lean upon or rely on.
Used with إِلَى for turning or leaning toward a person or thing, including a very slight inclination. A reported passive Form IV reading of the Quranic passage expresses being made to incline; it is an alternate reading, not a separate QAC form group.
- Lane · entry 24375
- Lane · entry 24377
- Mufradāt · row 583
Selected Quran examples
Quran 11:113word 2
“incline”
Quran 17:74word 6
“(would) have inclined”
رُكْنٌ
ruknun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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.
A strong support or source of power, including powerful backing or a people or party to whom one can resort.
In آوِي إلى رُكْنٍ شديدٍ, it denotes the strong backing or source of might sought for protection or support.
- Lane · entry 24380
- Mufradāt · row 583
Selected Quran examples
Quran 11:80word 10
“a support”
Supporting forces, followers, or a party by which a powerful person is strengthened.
In بِرُكْنِهِ, the noun refers to the forces or supporters accompanying and strengthening him, rather than to a physical corner.
- Lane · entry 24380
Selected Quran examples
Quran 51:39word 2
“with his supporters”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 11:80رُكْنٍۢa support
- 11:113تَرْكَنُوٓا۟incline
- 17:74تَرْكَنُ(would) have inclined
- 51:39بِرُكْنِهِۦwith his supporters
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 17 Classical meanings
رَكَنَ
To cling tenaciously to a dwelling or place of alighting and not relinquish it.
A distinct use referring to remaining attached to a place.
- Lane · entry 24375
رَكُنَ
To be inaccessible or difficult of access; of a mountain, to have high or strong sides, and of a person, to be firm, steady, grave, or calm.
The mountain and personal applications are distinct extensions of firmness and strength.
- Lane · entry 24375
تَرَكَّنَ
To become firm or strong and difficult of access.
Used of a person or thing that acquires firmness, strength, or inaccessibility.
- Lane · entry 24378
تَرَكَّنَ
To strive to become grave, steady, sedate, or calm.
A reflexive or effortful comportment use, distinct from simply being firm.
- Lane · entry 24378
رَكْنٌ
A large field-rat or a common rat or mouse.
A separate nominal animal term distinguished by its vocalization from رُكْنٌ.
- Lane · entry 24379
رُكْنٌ
The side or outward part of a thing, especially its strongest side; a corner or angle of a house, room, palace, mountain, or land.
The physical sense concerns a side, extremity, corner, or angle on which or by which something is situated or supported.
- Lane · entry 24380
رُكْنٌ
A stay or support of any kind, or a means by which something is strengthened, such as dominion or an army.
A broader Classical extension of the support sense, not limited to the specific Quranic support and forces constructions.
- Lane · entry 24380
رُكْنٌ
A noble or high-ranking person, especially a leading member of his people.
This denotes a person viewed as a prominent source of standing or support.
- Lane · entry 24380
رُكْنٌ
The limbs or members of a human being by which work is done or things are accomplished.
Used collectively of bodily members such as the hands, arms, feet, or legs.
- Lane · entry 24380
رُكْنٌ
A momentous, formidable, or terrible thing, affair, event, or action.
A figurative use for something of great magnitude or seriousness.
- Lane · entry 24380
رُكْنٌ
In technical usage, the essence or essential part without which a thing cannot subsist or be complete; hence a fundamental element of a ritual or other system.
Applied to an intrinsic constituent, including a fundamental of worship whose omission invalidates it; distinguished from an external condition.
- Lane · entry 24380
- Mufradāt · row 583
رَكِينٌ
A mountain with high or strong sides, inaccessible or difficult to access.
An adjectival description of a mountain's strong, elevated sides and resulting inaccessibility.
- Lane · entry 24381
رَكِينٌ
A person who is firm, steady, grave, sedate, or calm.
A figurative personal application of firmness and composure.
- Lane · entry 24381
أَرْكُونٌ
A great headman or chief of a village or town.
A title for a prominent local leader.
- Lane · entry 24383
مِرْكَنٌ
A leather vessel for water, or a tub used for washing clothes and similar things.
The term covers both the water vessel and the washing tub described in the lexical evidence.
- Lane · entry 24384
مُرَكَّنٌ
Having corners or angles.
A descriptive passive-participial adjective for a thing provided with or characterized by أَرْكَان.
- Lane · entry 24385
مُرَكَّنٌ
Of an udder: large and expanded, filling the surrounding groins and not very long.
Used specifically of an udder, including that of a she-camel, when its size and shape give it pronounced sides or fullness.
- Lane · entry 24385
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The QAC verb group is the canonical Form I active imperfect تَرْكَنُ; the reported passive Form IV reading is retained as a Quranic constructional note rather than counted as an additional QAC form.
Unassigned or ambiguous evidence
lane-unit:rkn:24376:g1:main reports an attributed Form II meaning 'to make like' but explicitly states that the meaning belongs to زكّن; the evidence is therefore retained as unresolved rather than presented as a meaning of ركن.