Quranic root
وهن
w · h · n
The root centers on weakness or loss of strength, whether bodily or in resolve, and also has a separate temporal branch denoting a period of the night.
The principal semantic branch is weakness, extending from bodily infirmity to weakened energy or character and to causative forms meaning to make weak. A distinct homonymous branch denotes a night-time period and related temporal usage.
- Maqāyīs · row 5241
- Lane · entry 30711
- Lane · entry 30714
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 9
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
وَهَنَ
wahana
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 5 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 be or become weak, infirm, or enervated.
Used of bodily condition or a bodily part; it includes languor, weakness of structure, enervation, or laxity in the joints.
- Lane · entry 30711
- Mufradāt · row 1617
Selected Quran examples
Quran 19:4word 4
“(have) weakened”
To lose strength or heart; to become dispirited or cowardly.
Used of a person or group in resolve, morale, an undertaking, or pursuit, rather than only of bodily weakness.
- Lane · entry 30711
- Mufradāt · row 1617
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:146word 9
“they lost heart”
Quran 4:104word 2
“be weak”
أَوْهَن
ʾawhan
- Part of speech
- Adjective · Elative
- 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.
The weakest; most fragile in strength.
An elative adjective used in a comparison of strength or structural weakness.
- Lane · entry 30711
- Mufradāt · row 1617
Selected Quran examples
Quran 29:41word 13
“the weakest”
مُوهِن
mūhin
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- 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.
One who weakens; that which makes someone or something weak.
An active participle of the causative Form IV usage, taking the weakened person, thing, or undertaking as its object.
- Lane · entry 30713
- Mufradāt · row 1617
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:18word 4
“one who makes weak”
وَهْن
wahn
- 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.
Weakness; weakness upon weakness as pregnancy advances.
In the Quranic construction وَهْنًا عَلَى وَهْنٍ, it denotes increasing or successive physical weakness associated with pregnancy.
- Mufradāt · row 1617
Selected Quran examples
Quran 31:14word 6
“(in) weakness”
Quran 31:14word 8
“weakness”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 3:139تَهِنُوا۟weaken
- 3:146وَهَنُوا۟they lost heart
- 4:104تَهِنُوا۟be weak
- 8:18مُوهِنُone who makes weak
- 19:4وَهَنَ(have) weakened
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 7 Classical meanings
وَهْنٌ / مَوْهِنٌ
A period of the night, especially around midnight, after an hour, or as the night departs.
A temporal noun belonging to the root's separate time-related branch.
- Lane · entry 30714
- Maqāyīs · row 5241
الْوَاهِنَةُ
The lowest rib.
An anatomical usage of الوَاهِنَةُ.
- Maqāyīs · row 5241
الْوَاهِنَةُ
A disease affecting the sides of the neck.
A medical usage distinct from the anatomical term for the rib.
- Maqāyīs · row 5241
عِرْقُ الْوَاهِنَةِ
The cephalic vein.
A named anatomical vein.
- Lane · entry 30715
وَهْنَانَةٌ
A woman who is sluggish, moves little, and is heavy or slow to rise and sit.
The gender specification is part of the lexical definition of this derived noun.
- Maqāyīs · row 5241
أَوْهَنَ
To enter or travel during that night-time period.
A temporal homonym, distinct from the Quranic elative adjective and from the causative verb meaning to weaken.
- Maqāyīs · row 5241
تَوَهُّنٌ
A state of being weak or languid, especially being unable to rise.
A derived noun describing marked physical debility or languor.
- Lane · entry 30717
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
أَوْهَن in 29:41 is presented as an elative adjective meaning “the weakest,” whereas مُوهِن in 8:18 is an active participle meaning “one who weakens.”
The temporal sense of وَهْنٌ / مَوْهِنٌ is a distinct homonymous branch and should not be conflated with weakness.