Quranic root
رتل
r · t · l
The root centers on orderly, even arrangement and regularity along a straight course, extending to clear, well-formed articulation and deliberate recitation.
The lexical orientation develops from the even setting or separation of the teeth and the good arrangement of a thing to speech that is orderly, distinct, easy, and unhurried. In the Qur'anic expression of 25:32, this further carries the idea of successive, deliberate portions.
- Mufradāt · row 529
- Lane · entry 22412
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 4
- 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.
رَتَّلَ
rattala
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- 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 recite or articulate words distinctly, in an orderly, deliberate, and unhurried manner.
In Qur'anic use, the construction concerns clear and measured recitation, with the components of the speech properly arranged; attention to articulation and pauses is part of the conventional recitational practice.
- Lane · entry 22412
- Mufradāt · row 529
Selected Quran examples
Quran 25:32word 14
“and We have recited it”
Quran 73:4word 4
“and recite”
To deliver or recite the Qur'an in successive portions, deliberately and over time.
This specialized interpretation is associated with وَرَتَّلْنَاهُ تَرْتِيلًا in 25:32, where the Qur'an is understood as being presented part by part; it is not a general synonym for revelation.
- Lane · entry 22412
Selected Quran examples
Quran 25:32word 14
“and We have recited it”
تَرْتِيلٌ
tartīlun
- Part of speech
- Verbal 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.
Distinct, orderly, deliberate recitation or articulation, without haste.
Used in the Qur'anic context especially for recitation characterized by clear utterance, measured pacing, and properly arranged portions of speech.
- Lane · entry 22412
- Mufradāt · row 529
Selected Quran examples
Quran 25:32word 15
“(with distinct) recitation”
Quran 73:4word 6
“(with) measured rhythmic recitation”
The deliberate presentation or recitation of the Qur'an in successive portions.
This constructional sense is specifically attested in the explanation of 25:32, where the Qur'an is delivered or recited part by part over time.
- Lane · entry 22412
Selected Quran examples
Quran 25:32word 15
“(with distinct) recitation”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 25:32وَرَتَّلْنَـٰهُand We have recited it
- 25:32تَرْتِيلًۭا(with distinct) recitation
- 73:4وَرَتِّلِand recite
- 73:4تَرْتِيلًا(with) measured rhythmic recitation
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 13 Classical meanings
تَرْتِيلٌ
Separation or spacing of the teeth.
This is described as the original concrete sense associated with the verbal noun.
- Lane · entry 22412
تَرْتِيلٌ
Deliberate, orderly, and distinct articulation of speech.
Applied to speech generally, including proceeding through its component parts without haste.
- Lane · entry 22412
رَتَلٌ
Evenness and good setting of the front teeth, including their being properly separated; also their whiteness and lustre.
The related adjectival application may describe a person possessing such teeth.
- Lane · entry 22411
- Lane · entry 22414
رَتَلٌ
A good, correct, or well-ordered state of arrangement or disposition.
Applied to a thing whose component parts are properly arranged.
- Lane · entry 22411
- Lane · entry 22414
رَتَلٌ
Coolness or coldness of water.
- Lane · entry 22414
رَتِلٌ
Describing front teeth that are well set, even in growth, or separated by interstices without overlapping; also describing a person with such teeth.
The descriptions vary among even growth, separation, good setting, whiteness, and lustre.
- Lane · entry 22415
رَتِلٌ
Speech or language that is good, deliberate, and distinctly uttered.
Applied to speech or language rather than restricted to Qur'anic recitation.
- Lane · entry 22415
رَتِلٌ
Good, sweet, or pleasant.
Applied broadly to a thing characterized as agreeable or pleasing.
- Lane · entry 22415
رَتِلٌ
Cool or cold water.
- Lane · entry 22415
رُتَيْلَى
A genus of venomous creeping creatures, with several species whose bites cause swelling and pain and may be deadly.
A later application to the tarantula is reported as possibly incorrect; the lexical item primarily denotes the described venomous creature or genus.
- Lane · entry 22416
رُتَيْلَآءُ
A plant with a flower resembling a lily, used medicinally against the bite of the associated venomous creature and against scorpion stings.
- Lane · entry 22416
رَاتِلَةٌ
Short in stature.
Applied to a man in the cited lexical usage.
- Lane · entry 22418
أَرْتَلُ
Having a defect or impediment in speech or utterance.
- Lane · entry 22419
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The modern verse and word locations shown in the examples follow the independently supplied QAC locations; Lane's historical Qur'anic citation notation is not converted into modern locations.