Quranic root
ثعب
th · ʿ · b
An underlying idea of extension, spreading, and flowing outward, applicable to water and other things.
The semantic development extends from making liquids flow and the channels through which they flow to the image of a long, extended serpent. The Quranic ثُعْبَان is the serpent term, while the flow and channel branches remain distinct lexical uses.
- Maqāyīs · row 1017
- Mufradāt · row 202
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
ثُعْبَان
thuʿbān
- 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 large, long serpent.
In the Quran, the word denotes the serpent in the account of Moses's sign.
- Lane · entry 27248
- Mufradāt · row 202
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:107word 5
“(was) a serpent”
Quran 26:32word 5
“(was) a serpent”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 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 10 Classical meanings
ثَعَبَ
To give vent to something and make it flow, run, or stream.
A transitive verb used of water, blood, and similar liquids.
- Lane · entry 27244
انْثَعَبَ
To flow forth, run, or stream.
Used of water, rain, and blood, including blood flowing from the nose; the flow may be in or through a مَثْعَب.
- Lane · entry 27245
انْثَعَبَ
Figuratively, to spring up and run toward someone after being called.
A figurative construction describing a person rushing toward another.
- Lane · entry 27245
ثَعْب
Flowing, running, or streaming.
Applied to water and blood, and to a flowing torrent.
- Lane · entry 27246
ثَعْب
Figuratively, evil that takes its course like a stream.
A figurative use comparing the course of evil with flowing water.
- Lane · entry 27246
ثَعَب
A watercourse or channel in a valley; in one reported interpretation, the rubbish and scum collected in such a channel.
The interpretation as rubbish and scum is attributed to one authority, while another rejects it and understands the word as the channel itself.
- Lane · entry 27247
رَئِيسُ الثَّعَابِينِ
A basilisk, in the expression “chief of the serpents.”
A rare glossary expression associated with the serpent terminology.
- Lane · entry 27248
ثَعَابِيبَ
Extended or rope-like streams of clear water flowing from the mouth.
Occurs in the descriptive expression فُوهُ يَجْرِي ثَعَابِيبَ.
- Lane · entry 27249
ثُعْبَة
A kind of gecko.
The term is explained by resemblance to a serpent in bodily form; its plural is reported as ثُعَب.
- Mufradāt · row 202
مَثْعَب
An outlet, channel, or conduit through which water flows.
Used for outlets in a watering-trough, tank, or rooftop and for channels carrying rainwater; the plural is مَثَاعِب.
- Lane · entry 27252
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic form ثُعْبَان denotes a serpent; the related water-flow and channel terms are retained separately under their own vocalized headwords.
The watercourse entry preserves a reported disagreement over whether the word denotes the channel itself or the rubbish and scum collected in it.