Quranic root
وني
w · n · y
The root centers on weakness or diminished vigor, especially as languor, slackness, or remissness.
The semantic range develops from weakness to fatigue and languor, then to slackening or falling short in an action or affair; related nominal usage describes languid deportment.
- Maqāyīs · row 5226
- 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.
وَنَى
wanā
- 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 undertake or continue an action languidly; to slacken in it.
In the Quranic occurrence, the verb is a dual imperfect in a prohibition concerning an ongoing activity, expressing failure to persist in it with vigor.
- Lane · entry 30696
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:42word 6
“slacken”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 20:42تَنِيَاslacken
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 4 Classical meanings
وَنَى
To pass from, leave, or desist from a thing.
Attested with عَنْهُ, in contrast with the use with فِيهِ for entering upon or carrying on a thing languidly.
- Lane · entry 30696
تَوَانَى
To become languid, remiss, weak, feeble, or faint in an action or affair; to fall short in pursuing what one wants.
Used of actions, affairs, or an object sought; the construction تَوَانَى فِي الأَمْرِ means to flag or be remiss in the affair.
- Lane · entry 30697
وَنَاةٌ
A woman who is languid, gentle, or grave in deportment.
A feminine noun applied to a woman, with the description relating to her manner of deportment.
- Lane · entry 30698
مِيناءٌ
A port or harbor.
A masculine noun; its etymological and orthographic relationship to the root is discussed separately from its meaning.
- Lane · entry 30699