Quranic root
رقم
r · q · m
A root centered on lines, writing, inscription, and other distinct marks or patterned traces.
The basic notion of writing or marking extends to making letters distinct, decorating or striping surfaces, imprinting objects, and traces or patterns on animals and land. Some derived expressions develop figurative meanings from the idea of a visible or lasting mark.
- Maqāyīs · row 2117
- Mufradāt · row 574
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 6
- 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.
مَرْقُوم
marqūm
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- 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.
Written or inscribed with distinct, conspicuous marks.
In كِتَابٌ مَرْقُومٌ at 83:9 and 83:20, the writing is understood as having its letters made distinct; the discussion also allows a thick or strongly marked inscription and the pointing or marking of letters.
- Lane · entry 24231
- Mufradāt · row 574
Selected Quran examples
Quran 83:9word 2
“written”
Sealed, stamped, imprinted, or otherwise marked as an authenticated record.
A reported interpretation of كِتَابٌ مَرْقُومٌ at 83:9 and 83:20 emphasizes sealing or stamping rather than merely the fact of writing.
- Lane · entry 24231
Selected Quran examples
Quran 83:20word 2
“written”
رَقِيم
raqīm
- 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.
An inscription, written record, book, or inscribed tablet associated with the Companions of the Cave.
In the Quranic designation at 18:9, it is explained as a lead or stone tablet or other record bearing their names, ancestry, story, or religion; it may also be understood more generally as a book, writing, or building.
- Lane · entry 24225
- Mufradāt · row 574
Selected Quran examples
Quran 18:9word 6
“and the inscription”
A place or landmark associated with the Companions of the Cave.
An alternative interpretation of the Quranic term identifies it with their town or village, mountain, or valley.
- Lane · entry 24225
Selected Quran examples
Quran 18:9word 6
“and the inscription”
The dog associated with the Companions of the Cave.
This is a reported alternative identification of the Quranic term, not the inscription interpretation.
- Lane · entry 24225
Selected Quran examples
Quran 18:9word 6
“and the inscription”
An ink receptacle or writing implement associated with an inscription.
This is a reported and expressly uncertain interpretation of the Quranic term.
- Lane · entry 24225
Selected Quran examples
Quran 18:9word 6
“and the inscription”
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 33 Classical meanings
رَقَمَ
To write or inscribe, and to mark writing with dots or points so that its letters are distinct.
The meaning includes making an inscription clear or legible.
- Lane · entry 24215
رَقَمَ
To seal, stamp, imprint, or impress.
A closely related marking action, attested as a separate signification of the verb.
- Lane · entry 24215
رَقَمَ
To write on water, proverbially meaning to perform with exceptional skill where no mark will remain.
A conventional expression for unusual skill, cleverness, or mastery.
- Lane · entry 24215
رَقَمَ
To figure, variegate, decorate, stripe, or otherwise pattern cloth.
Used of garments or pieces of cloth bearing a characteristic design or stripe pattern.
- Lane · entry 24215
رَقَمَ
To put an identifying or price mark on an article.
Especially used of marking a garment or other object so that it is distinguished from others or its price is specified.
- Lane · entry 24215
رَقَمَ
To add to a transmitted report and lie.
In the idiom هُوَ يَزِيدُ فِي الرَّقْمِ, used by transmitters of traditions.
- Lane · entry 24215
رَقَمَ
To cauterize an animal.
Also used of marking a horse with lines made by a hot iron.
- Lane · entry 24215
تَرْقِيمٌ
Drawing or writing a line or lines.
The verbal noun of Form II, with the action understood as line-drawing or line-writing.
- Lane · entry 24216
رَقْمٌ
Writing, an inscription, or a price-mark placed on a garment or piece of cloth.
A noun derived from the marking and writing action.
- Lane · entry 24217
رَقْمٌ
A figured, variegated, decorated, striped, or marked garment or cloth.
Used both for a type of patterned textile and for cloth bearing a characteristic design or mark.
- Lane · entry 24217
رَقْمٌ
The Indian numeral notation adopted by the Arabs, source of the notation commonly called Arabic numerals.
A specialized extension of the meaning of a written mark.
- Lane · entry 24217
رَقَمٌ
The Day of al-Raqam, a well-known day of conflict among the Arabs.
A fixed historical name rather than an ordinary common-noun sense.
- Lane · entry 24218
رَقِمٌ
A calamity, misfortune, or overwhelming matter beyond one's ability to accomplish or manage.
Used in expressions such as falling into al-raqim or bringing al-raqim.
- Lane · entry 24219
- Lane · entry 24225
رَقِمٌ
A great amount or much.
Used in the expression جَاءَ بِالرَّقِمِ, meaning that someone brought or accomplished much.
- Lane · entry 24219
رَقْمَةٌ
A cautery mark, including one of the paired anatomical marks or callous areas on an animal's limbs.
The term covers the small marks on the shanks and the named markings on the limbs or rump of beasts.
- Lane · entry 24220
رَقْمَةٌ
A small quantity of herbage.
Used of a scant amount of pasture or forage.
- Lane · entry 24220
رَقْمَةٌ
A particular herb or leguminous plant.
The plant's precise identification is not uniform in the lexical descriptions.
- Lane · entry 24220
رَقْمَةٌ
A meadow or grassy garden.
A landscape use connected with the appearance of a marked patch on the ground.
- Lane · entry 24220
رَقْمَةٌ
The side of a valley, or the part where its water collects.
Refers to a water-bearing or water-collecting section of a valley.
- Lane · entry 24220
رُقْمَةٌ
The distinctive coloring or pattern of the serpent called أَرْقَم.
A color-marking sense associated with a patterned snake.
- Lane · entry 24221
رَقَمَةٌ
A particular plant resembling the plant called كَرِش.
The botanical identification is reported with differing descriptive details.
- Lane · entry 24222
رَقَمِيَّاتٌ
Certain arrows named in relation to a place or water source called al-Raqam.
A plural designation based on geographic association.
- Lane · entry 24223
رَقُومٌ
Remaining, enduring, dwelling, or fixed.
Used as a feminine epithet.
- Lane · entry 24224
رَقِيمٌ
Figured or decorated with stars.
Applied to the sky in a traditional descriptive expression.
- Lane · entry 24225
رَقِيمَةٌ
An intelligent, accomplished, or capable woman.
A figurative feminine application.
- Lane · entry 24225
أَرْقَمُ
A patterned serpent, especially one marked with contrasting colors or spots.
The word is used substantivally for the serpent; the female is not ordinarily called by this form.
- Lane · entry 24226
تَرْقِيمٌ
A conventional mark placed by register keepers on documents, accounts, or written petitions.
Used to prevent a blank space from being added to or an account from being altered.
- Lane · entry 24227
مِرْقَمٌ
A writing reed or pen.
Named as an instrument of writing or marking.
- Lane · entry 24228
مِرْقَمٌ
In an idiom, the pen or writing instrument that has exceeded its proper bounds, said of vehement anger.
Occurs in expressions such as طَغَا مِرْقَمُكَ and related variants.
- Lane · entry 24228
مِرْقَمٌ
An implement used to prick or mark bread.
A specialized marking tool, with the plural مَرَاقِمُ.
- Lane · entry 24228
مُرَقِّمٌ
A writer.
An active-agent noun for one who writes or marks.
- Lane · entry 24230
مَرْقُومٌ
Marked with cautery lines or other dark lines on the legs.
Applied to beasts, including a wild ass or a wild bull, whose legs bear such marks.
- Lane · entry 24231
مَرْقُومَةٌ
Land containing little herbage or the plant called رَقْمَة.
A feminine land epithet.
- Lane · entry 24231
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic term رَقِيم in 18:9 has several reported interpretations, including an inscription, a place or landmark, the cave's dog, and an ink receptacle; these should not be treated as equally certain identifications.
The two senses of مَرْقُوم in كِتَابٌ مَرْقُومٌ reflect related but distinct explanations emphasizing distinct writing or marking versus sealing or stamping.