Quranic root
وسط
w · s · ṭ
The root denotes a middle or intervening position, especially as the point of balance, fairness, or equal division.
From physical centrality and being among or between things, the lexical field develops meanings of moderation, justice, excellence, mediation, central structural parts, and placing or dividing something at the middle.
- Maqāyīs · row 5105
- Mufradāt · row 1573
- Lane · entry 45262
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 5
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
وَسَطَ
wasaṭa
- 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 be or become in the midst of a group; to come into the central part of a company.
In the supplied Quranic occurrence, the subject is a feminine plural group understood as becoming amid a company.
- Lane · entry 45258
- Lane · entry 45259
Selected Quran examples
Quran 100:5word 1
“Then penetrate (in the) center”
أَوْسَطُ
ʾawsaṭu
- 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.
The middle or average in degree or quality; moderate between two extremes.
In the Quranic food provision, it denotes a moderate kind between extravagance and niggardliness.
- Lane · entry 45262
- Mufradāt · row 1573
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:89word 17
“average”
The best, most excellent, or most rightly directed member of a group.
In أَوْسَطُهُمْ, the form may refer to the member highest in judgment, age, standing, or general excellence, according to the interpretation of the passage.
- Lane · entry 45262
- Mufradāt · row 1573
Selected Quran examples
Quran 68:28word 2
“(the) most moderate of them”
وَسَطٌ
wasaṭun
- Part of speech
- Adjective
- 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.
Moderate and balanced; conforming to a just mean, and therefore just, equitable, or good.
In أُمَّةً وَسَطًا, the adjective expresses commendable balance and justice rather than merely a geometric midpoint.
- Lane · entry 45262
- Mufradāt · row 1573
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:143word 4
“(of the) middle way”
وُسْطَىٰ
wusṭāā
- Part of speech
- Adjective
- 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 middle or specially distinguished prayer among the prescribed prayers.
Used in الصلاة الوسطى. The supplied lexical discussion records differing identifications, including the afternoon, dawn, noon, sunset, and other prayers; it does not establish one identification as exclusive.
- Lane · entry 45262
- Mufradāt · row 1573
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:238word 5
“[the] middle”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:143وَسَطًۭا(of the) middle way
- 2:238ٱلْوُسْطَىٰ[the] middle
- 5:89أَوْسَطِaverage
- 68:28أَوْسَطُهُمْ(the) most moderate of them
- 100:5فَوَسَطْنَThen penetrate (in the) center
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 22 Classical meanings
وَسَطَ
To be or become in the middle or midst of a place or thing, including the central part of a setting.
This is the Form I positional use with a place or object, distinct from the adverbial وَسْطَ.
- Lane · entry 45258
وَسَطَ
To occupy the best or most honored place or rank among people; to be among the best or most generous of them.
Used of social standing, merit, truth, equity, or grounds of respect.
- Lane · entry 45258
وَسَّطَ
To put or place something in the middle or midst.
Transitive Form II; the Quranic variant discussion reports this as one possible interpretation of the expression فَوَسَّطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعًا.
- Lane · entry 45259
وَسَّطَ
To cut or divide something through the middle into two halves.
A Form II resultative use, also reported as an interpretation of the alternate Quranic reading فَوَسَّطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعًا; the supplied QAC group itself is Form I.
- Lane · entry 45259
تَوَسَّطَ
To mediate or intercede between people in order to reconcile them.
Used with بين and with parties engaged in disagreement, altercation, or litigation.
- Lane · entry 45260
تَوَسَّطَ
To take or choose something of a middle sort between the good and the bad.
A Form V use concerning selection of an intermediate quality.
- Lane · entry 45260
وَسْط
In the middle of, in the midst of, or among.
An adverbial or prepositional form used for a position between or among things, not ordinarily denoting a component part of the noun that follows; it may occur substantively with فِي.
- Lane · entry 45261
وَسَطٌ
The middle, center, or middle part of a thing: the portion between its sides or extremities, or the portion surrounded on several sides.
A substantive use, especially with solid or unified things such as a house, head, spear, or circle; it contrasts in usage with وَسْط in the adverbial sense.
- Lane · entry 45262
وَسَطٌ
Middle, intermediate, or of a middling sort; between good and bad, and in favorable evaluation good, best, or most generous.
An adjectival epithet applied to persons, things, times, and ranks. Particular examples such as a middle finger, day, night, or set of days illustrate the use without restricting its referent.
- Lane · entry 45262
وَسِيطٌ
A mediator or intercessor between people, especially between disputing or litigating parties.
The noun denotes the person who performs mediation or intercession for reconciliation.
- Lane · entry 45264
وَسَاطَةٌ
Mediation or intercession between people.
A verbal noun used substantively for the act or practice of reconciling parties.
- Lane · entry 45265
وَسَاطَةٌ
The best or finest dinars.
A specialized use referring to quality within a set of coins.
- Lane · entry 45265
وَسِيطَةٌ
A means or instrument by which something is achieved.
A nominal use for an intervening means or medium.
- Lane · entry 45266
وَاسِطٌ
The forward upright part of a camel’s saddle, the piece nearest the camel’s head and the rider’s breast.
A technical saddle term; despite its name, the cited lexical explanation identifies it as an extremity rather than a geometrical middle part.
- Lane · entry 45267
وَاسِطٌ
The wooden piece between the two side pieces of the yoke placed on a bull drawing a cart or similar vehicle.
A technical term for a central yoke component.
- Lane · entry 45267
وَاسِطَةٌ
The central jewel or large pearl in a necklace, regarded as its best or most precious bead.
A specialized use for the prominent central ornament of a necklace.
- Lane · entry 45268
وَاسِطَةٌ
A means of doing something.
Identified in the supplied evidence as a modern usage, commonly occurring in the expression بِوَاسِطَةِ.
- Lane · entry 45268
وَاسِطَةٌ
An intermediary, interposer, or agent between parties.
A person or agency serving as a go-between.
- Lane · entry 45268
وَاسِطَةٌ
A good or comfortable condition of life.
Occurs in the idiomatic expression هُوَ فِي وَاسِطَةٍ مِنَ العَيْشِ; the evidence marks this interpretation as an assumed figurative development.
- Lane · entry 45268
مُوسَطٌ
The part in the middle of a house, tent, or similar dwelling.
A specialized nominal use for the interior middle of a dwelling.
- Lane · entry 45270
مُوَسَّطٌ
Cut or divided through the middle into two halves.
A passive-participial description of something subjected to the Form II division described above.
- Lane · entry 45272
وَسُوطٌ
A middle-sized tent made of goat hair.
A specialized tent term; the evidence describes it as larger than a مِظَلَّةٌ.
- Lane · entry 30484
- Maqāyīs · row 5105
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
وَسْطٌ and وَسَطٌ are distinct vocalized lexical items: the former is primarily adverbial for a position among or between things, while the latter is a substantive or adjective.
The identity of الصلاة الوسطى is disputed in the supplied lexical evidence; the artifact preserves the disagreement rather than selecting one prayer without sufficient basis.
Lane records an alternate reading فَوَسَّطْنَ with Form II interpretations, while the supplied QAC Quran group is the Form I reading فَوَسَطْنَ; these forms and their meanings should not be conflated.