Quranic root
سطو
s · ṭ · w
The root centers on a forceful springing or laying on of hands, yielding the Quranic sense of violent assault and related extensions involving forceful seizure.
The reported foundational image is a horse rearing with its forelegs raised, whether in play or in mounting a female. From this image, the lexicon develops usages for assault, sexual mounting, extraction, and the forceful swelling or overflow of water.
- Mufradāt · row 689
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- 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.
سَطَا
saṭā
- 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 spring or rush upon someone in a violent assault; to lay hands on, overpower, or attempt to subdue them.
In the Quranic construction يَسْطُونَ بِـ, it describes a threatened violent attack against those reciting God's signs.
- Lane · entry 41138
- Mufradāt · row 689
Selected Quran examples
Quran 22:72word 13
“attack”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 22:72يَسْطُونَattack
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
سَطَا
To mount sexually or have intercourse with a female.
Attested in the description of a stallion springing upon the female it covers.
- Lane · entry 41138
- Mufradāt · row 689
سَطَا
To extract retained stallion semen or a dead fetus from a female's womb.
Used of the extraction of reproductive contents or a dead fetus from a female animal, and reported also in relation to a woman when a dead child is lodged in the womb.
- Lane · entry 41138
سَطَا
Of a horse, to go at random, heedlessly, or headlong, without obeying guidance.
A horse-specific usage describing uncontrolled or unguided movement.
- Lane · entry 41138
سَطَا
Of a horse, to move with a wide stride or to raise its tail while running.
The raised-tail behavior is described as approved in running.
- Lane · entry 41138
سَطَا
Of water, to become abundant or overflow.
A figurative application of the forceful-swelling image to water.
- Lane · entry 41138
- Mufradāt · row 689
سَطَا
To taste food.
A reported figurative usage.
- Lane · entry 41138
سَطَا
To take something with the hand or an extended hand.
A reported figurative usage concerning grasping or taking by hand.
- Lane · entry 41138
سَطَا
To punish or chastise.
A usage equated with عَاقَبَ in the lexical evidence.
- Lane · entry 41138
سَطَا
To compress or press a female.
A separately reported usage attributed to Abū Saʿīd.
- Lane · entry 41138
سَاطَى
To treat someone with hardness, severity, or rigor.
Form III usage; the same derived verb is also reported with an opposite sense of gentleness.
- Lane · entry 41139
سَاطَى
To treat someone with gentleness or tenderness.
Form III usage reported as an opposite signification to harsh treatment.
- Lane · entry 41139
سَطْوَةٌ
A springing or rush, an assault, or an impetuous attack, especially in war or battle.
A noun or uninflected verbal noun denoting forceful attack or impetuosity.
- Lane · entry 41140
سَطْوَةٌ
A reviling, beating, or punishment or chastisement.
A noun or uninflected verbal noun used for an act or experience of punitive violence.
- Lane · entry 41140
سَاطٍ
One who springs or rushes upon another or makes an assault; of a horse, one that attacks other horses.
The active participle may describe a horse that attacks with its forelegs; related horse descriptions include a wide stride or a raised tail while running.
- Lane · entry 41141
سَاطٍ
A stallion camel excited by lust and going from one group of camels to another.
A specialized active-participle usage describing sexually driven movement among camels.
- Lane · entry 41141
سَاطٍ
Something tall or long, especially a camel.
An attributive active-participle usage applied to camels and similar objects.
- Lane · entry 41141
سَاطٍ
Reaching or taking hold of something; of hands, extending to grasp.
Attested in the expression الأَيْدِي السَّوَاطِي, ‘hands that reach or take hold.’
- Lane · entry 41141
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quran example is securely located at 22:72:13; an older citation notation associated with the lexical discussion is not treated as an independently converted modern verse location.