Quranic root
سيل
s · y · l
The root denotes flowing and extending, especially the movement of water and other fluids.
Its lexical development includes flowing water, channels through which water runs, causing a substance to flow, abundant flow, and figurative extension or pouring forth. Several specialized nominal and technical uses remain distinct.
- Maqāyīs · row 2539
- Lane · entry 42942
- Lane · entry 42947
- 3
- 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.
سَالَ
sāla
- 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 flow or run, especially of water or a watercourse.
In the Quranic construction, it is said of valleys as their water flows according to its measure.
- Lane · entry 42942
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:17word 5
“and flows”
أَسَالَ
ʾasāla
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- 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 make something flow or run; to cause a liquid or molten substance to flow.
Causative Form IV. The Quranic occurrence concerns causing molten copper or brass to flow for Solomon.
- Lane · entry 42945
Selected Quran examples
Quran 34:12word 7
“and We caused to flow”
سَيْلٌ
saylun
- 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 torrent or flood: a large body of rainwater flowing through a valley or watercourse.
The Quranic contexts use the noun for a torrent or flood.
- Lane · entry 42947
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:17word 9
“the torrent”
Quran 34:16word 4
“(the) flood”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 13:17فَسَالَتْand flows
- 13:17ٱلسَّيْلُthe torrent
- 34:12وَأَسَلْنَاand We caused to flow
- 34:16سَيْلَ(the) flood
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 21 Classical meanings
سَالَ
To become fluid or liquid, opposite to becoming solid.
A broader Classical use describing a thing that becomes fluid, not merely water flowing through a channel.
- Lane · entry 42942
سَالَ
To be swept into a difficult or severe situation.
A figurative proverbial construction in which a torrent carries people into hardship.
- Lane · entry 42942
سَالَ
To pour or descend upon someone in force.
A figurative construction used of horsemen pouring upon a person.
- Lane · entry 42942
سَالَ
To extend or spread lengthwise or downward.
Used of a horse's facial blaze and, by comparison, of flowing or defluent hair.
- Lane · entry 42942
أَسَالَ
To make something long and complete.
A specialized Form IV use, especially of the point or blade of an arrow, spear, or similar implement.
- Lane · entry 42945
تَسَايَلَ
To pour together or converge from different directions.
Used figuratively of troops pouring together from every quarter.
- Lane · entry 42946
سَيْلٌ
Flowing or running water when the verbal noun is used adjectivally.
In the construction مَاءٌ سَيْلٌ, the noun functions in place of an adjective meaning flowing or running.
- Lane · entry 42947
سِيلَةٌ
A mode or manner of flowing or running water.
- Lane · entry 42948
سِيلَانٌ
The tang or tongue of a sword, knife, or similar implement that enters its hilt or handle.
This technical noun is distinct from the ordinary meanings of flowing and running.
- Lane · entry 42949
سَيَالٌ
A thorny tree or plant, especially a white-thorned acacia-like species.
The botanical identification is variously described in the lexical evidence; سَيَالٌ is also treated in relation to سَيَالَةٌ.
- Lane · entry 42949
سَيَّالٌ
Flowing or running abundantly; distilling much.
Used adjectivally of water or another liquid that flows or distills copiously.
- Lane · entry 42950
سَيَّالٌ
A particular mode of calculation.
A specialized technical noun use.
- Lane · entry 42950
سَيَّالَةٌ
A bend in a sea or a great river.
- Lane · entry 42951
سَائِلٌ
Fluid or liquid.
An adjectival use describing a substance capable of flowing.
- Lane · entry 42952
سَائِلٌ
Extended or spreading.
In سَائِلُ الأَطْرَافِ it describes extended fingers; in غُرَّةٌ سَائِلَةٌ it describes a facial blaze spreading over the forehead or nose.
- Lane · entry 42952
سَائِلَةٌ
A company or group of people pouring in from a direction.
A figurative collective use for people arriving or moving together.
- Lane · entry 42953
سَوَائِلُ
Valleys or watercourses.
A plural use associated with places through which water flows.
- Lane · entry 42953
مُسَالٌ
In مُسَالُ الخَدَّيْنِ, having expanded cheeks; in مُسَالَا الرَّجُلِ, the two sides of a man's beard or jaws, and by extension his two sides.
These are conventional anatomical and descriptive expressions.
- Lane · entry 42955
مَسِيلٌ
A place or channel in which a torrent or water flows; a watercourse.
The word also functions as an infinitive noun in the sense of flowing.
- Lane · entry 42956
مَسِيلٌ
Rain that causes much flowing.
A specialized term for rain producing abundant flow in valleys or watercourses.
- Lane · entry 42956
مُسِيلٌ
Rain that causes valleys and watercourses to flow.
A specialized noun distinct in vocalization from مَسِيلٌ ‘watercourse’.
- Lane · entry 42957
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The botanical referent of سَيَالٌ is variously identified in the lexical evidence, including acacia-like and other thorny plants.
The sword-tang sense of سِيلَانٌ is recorded with an explicit qualification that the report was heard but not from a learned authority.
The Quran example for أَسَالَ uses the secure QAC location 34:12; historical citation notation in the lexical evidence is not treated as a modern verse locator.