Quranic root
سوط
s · w · ṭ
The root centers on mixing or intermingling one thing with another.
From this core develop the whip, associated with braided or interwoven components and with mixing flesh and blood when it strikes, as well as figurative uses for a portion, severity, or mixture of punishment.
- Maqāyīs · row 2524
- Mufradāt · row 740
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- 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.
سَوْطٌ
sawṭun
- 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 whip or scourge.
In the Quranic occurrence, the concrete image of a whip underlies the expression سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ, although the phrase is interpreted figuratively as punishment.
- Lane · entry 42702
- Mufradāt · row 740
Selected Quran examples
Quran 89:13word 4
“scourge”
A portion, kind, or severe measure of punishment.
In سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ, the word may denote a share or kind of punishment, or punishment marked by exceptional vehemence; the punishment need not involve literal whipping.
- Lane · entry 42702
- Maqāyīs · row 2524
- Mufradāt · row 740
Selected Quran examples
Quran 89:13word 4
“scourge”
A mixture or compound of punishments.
This is a Quran-specific interpretation of سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ, presenting the punishment as various kinds of torment combined for the punished people.
- Lane · entry 42702
- Mufradāt · row 740
Selected Quran examples
Quran 89:13word 4
“scourge”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 89:13سَوْطَscourge
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 20 Classical meanings
سَاطَهُ
To mix, stir, and beat one thing into another.
Used especially of mixing the contents of a vessel or food; it can also describe something blended figuratively with another thing, such as love mixed with blood.
- Lane · entry 42698
سَاطَ
To turn an affair over in one's mind, or to manage and conduct it personally.
The construction is used of considering an affair and of personally managing or conducting a war.
- Lane · entry 42698
سَاطَ
To make an affair, case, or opinion confused or disordered.
A figurative extension of mixing, used with affairs and opinions.
- Lane · entry 42698
سَاطَهُ
To whip or strike someone or an animal with a whip.
The object may be a person or a beast.
- Lane · entry 42698
سَوَّطَ
Of leeks, to put forth seed-stalks.
The seed-stalks are called سِيَاطٌ and are associated by resemblance with a whip.
- Lane · entry 42699
سَاوَطَ
To act roughly with another using a whip, or to contend with him by means of a whip and overcome him with it.
A rare Form III expression.
- Lane · entry 42700
إِسْتَوَطَ
To become mixed.
An exceptional Form VIII formation recorded with this meaning.
- Lane · entry 42701
إِسْتَوَطَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُهُ
For an affair or case to become confused or disordered for someone.
A figurative construction describing an affair as becoming difficult to sort out.
- Lane · entry 42701
سَوْطٌ
One shared mode, course, or affair undertaken by two people.
In the idiom يَتَعَاطَيَانِ سَوْطًا وَاحِدًا, it indicates agreement upon or engagement in one thing or mode of action.
- Lane · entry 42702
سَوْطٌ
A measure equal to a whip's length, used as an astronomical angular measure.
The measure is reported as approximately four and a half degrees, though it is not necessarily uniform or precise.
- Lane · entry 42702
سِيَاطٌ
The seed-stalks of leeks.
A plural form associated with سَوْطٌ and used for the stalks bearing the leek's seed clusters.
- Lane · entry 42702
سَوْطٌ
A remaining stretch or portion of water, such as water left in a pool by a torrent.
The water is conceived as extended like a whip.
- Lane · entry 42702
سَوْطٌ
A place where water collects and stagnates.
A distinct geographical or hydrological use, with plural أَسْوَاطٌ reported.
- Lane · entry 42702
سَوْطٌ
A narrow road or track between two elevations.
The attribution is qualified in the lexical evidence, since some authorities give شَوْطٌ instead.
- Lane · entry 42702
سَوْطٌ
A kind of tent made of goats' hair.
A rare lexical use.
- Lane · entry 42702
سَوْطُ بَاطِلٍ
A beam of light entering through an opening in a wall in sunshine.
The expression is also reported as خَيْطُ بَاطِلٍ, with a variant involving ش.
- Lane · entry 42702
سَوَّاطٌ
A police officer or constable who carries a whip.
A professional designation based on the officer's customary weapon.
- Lane · entry 42704
مَسُوطٌ
Mixed or blended.
Used of flesh blended with blood and flesh, and also of possessions mixed among people.
- Lane · entry 42705
مِسْوَاطٌ
An implement used for mixing and stirring, such as a stick.
The implement is used to mix food or another substance; مِسْوَطٌ is given as a related form by cross-reference.
- Lane · entry 42707
مِسْوَاطٌ
A horse that does not exert its full running power unless driven by a whip.
The expression presents the horse as holding its power in reserve until urged by the whip.
- Lane · entry 42707
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic expression سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ has several attested interpretations: a literal whip image, a portion or severe kind of punishment, and a mixture of punishments.
The modern occurrence location 89:13 is taken from the supplied QAC data; the historical Lane citation is not independently converted from its printed notation.