Quranic root
خصم
kh · ṣ · m
The root develops two related orientations: contention between opposing parties, and the side or edge of a container or thing.
The lexical tradition presents disputation and the side of an object as two principal branches, and relates them through the idea of taking an opposing side or being situated at a side.
- Maqāyīs · row 1596
- 5
- Quran-attested forms
- 6
- Quran senses
- 18
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
اِخْتَصَمَ
āikhtaṣama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VIII
- Form
- VIII
- Quran occurrences
- 8 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 contend with one another, dispute, or litigate.
A reciprocal Form VIII verb for opposing parties engaged in contention or litigation.
- Lane · entry 19320
- Mufradāt · row 413
Selected Quran examples
Quran 22:19word 3
“dispute”
Quran 36:49word 8
“are disputing”
تَخَاصُم
takhāṣum
- Part of speech
- Verbal noun
- 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.
Mutual contention, quarrelling, or disputation.
A verbal noun describing the state or act of parties disputing with one another; it can include litigation.
- Lane · entry 19329
Selected Quran examples
Quran 38:64word 4
“(the) quarreling”
خَصِم
khaṣim
- 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.
Contentious, argumentative, or given to disputation.
The Quranic plural خَصِمُونَ describes those characterized by or engaged in الخصومة, rather than merely identifying a party to a dispute.
- Lane · entry 19323
- Mufradāt · row 413
Selected Quran examples
Quran 43:58word 14
“argumentative”
خَصِيم / خِصَام
khaṣīm / khiṣām
- Part of speech
- Noun · disputant / verbal noun
- 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.
A disputant or opponent, especially one who frequently engages in contention.
This sense belongs to خَصِيم, a personal noun for a person characterized by frequent disputation.
- Mufradāt · row 413
Selected Quran examples
Quran 16:4word 7
“(is) an opponent”
Dispute, contention, or contentious exchange.
This sense belongs to the Quranic verbal noun خِصَام within the same QAC lemma group; it denotes disputation rather than a disputing person.
- Mufradāt · row 413
Selected Quran examples
Quran 43:18word 7
“the dispute”
خَصْم
khaṣm
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 3 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.
An opponent, adversary, or litigant; a party in contention.
The noun may be used for a male or female, and may occur in singular, dual, or plural usage. In the Quran it can designate opposing parties or litigants collectively.
- Lane · entry 19321
- Mufradāt · row 413
Selected Quran examples
Quran 22:19word 2
“opponents”
Quran 38:21word 4
“(of) the litigants”
Quran 38:22word 10
“(We are) two litigants”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:204ٱلْخِصَامِ(of) opponents
- 3:44يَخْتَصِمُونَthey (were) disputing
- 4:105خَصِيمًۭاa pleader
- 16:4خَصِيمٌۭ(is) an opponent
- 22:19خَصْمَانِopponents
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 13 Classical meanings
خَصِمَ
To contend in an altercation, dispute, or litigation in a valid or sound manner.
An unaugmented Form I verb; the cited description emphasizes proper or sound disputation.
- Lane · entry 19316
خَاصَمَ
To contend with, dispute with, or litigate against someone; in one usage, to prevail over him in the dispute.
A transitive Form III construction with a person as the object of contention.
- Lane · entry 19317
خِصَام
Argumentative speech intended to make an interlocutor desist from an assertion, plea, or claim.
A specialized interpretation of خِصَام as the effective statement used in contention.
- Lane · entry 19317
خَاصَمَ
To put something at the edge or side of a bed.
A distinct Form III construction with the edge or side of the bed as the relevant location.
- Lane · entry 19317
أَخْصَمَ
To dictate to someone a plea against his adversary so that he may overcome the adversary.
A causative Form IV construction involving the preparation or delivery of another person's legal or disputatious plea.
- Lane · entry 19318
اِخْتَصَمَ
To bring a dispute before an adjudicator, with each party claiming the right.
Used with an adjudicator as the destination of the litigants' application for a decision.
- Lane · entry 19320
خُصْم
The side, edge, corner, or lateral part of a thing, including the side or corner of a load, container, cloud, or the part of the eye where the eyelids meet.
A concrete spatial noun covering the lateral portions of various objects and structures.
- Lane · entry 19322
خُصْم
A gap or intervening space.
A figurative or extended usage, especially of an affair in which closing one gap opens another.
- Lane · entry 19322
خُصُوم
The mouths or openings of valleys.
A plural lexical usage referring to valley entrances.
- Lane · entry 19322
خُصُوم
The lower parts or stocks of certain trees.
A specialized plural usage for the bases of the trees called سَرَحَات.
- Lane · entry 19322
خَصِم
Knowledgeable or skilled in altercation, or valid and sound in disputation.
A classical adjectival specialization distinct from simply being actively contentious; it may describe ability or soundness in disputation even without current practice.
- Lane · entry 19323
خَصْمَة
A bead, gem, or similar amulet worn in connection with disputing or appearing before a ruler.
A specialized object noun, also described as being placed beneath a signet gem, in a button, or on a sword cord.
- Lane · entry 19324
أُخْصُوم
The loop of a sack or of a load.
A specialized term for the loop of a جُوَالِق or an عِدْل.
- Lane · entry 19330
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The QAC lemma group corresponding to خَصِيم also contains the Quranic surface form خِصَام; these are presented together with separate disputant and dispute senses rather than being treated as one lexical meaning.