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Quranic root

خدن

kh · d · n

The root denotes companionship and association.

From the basic idea of companionship, the root develops terms for a friend or companion, association as a friend, and a specialized secret or amorous companionship. Related derivatives describe habitual association and having such companions.

  • Maqāyīs · row 1538
  • Lane · entry 18631
  • Lane · entry 18632
  • Mufradāt · row 394
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.

خِدْن

khidn

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.

  1. A secret lover or intimate sexual companion.

    In the Quranic plural أخدان, the word denotes companions maintained for fornication in secret; this is the concealed sexual-association use rather than the generic sense of companion.

    • Lane · entry 18632
    • Mufradāt · row 394
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 4:25word 34

    “secret lovers”

    Quran 5:5word 32

    “secret lovers”

Occurrences in the Quran

Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.

  • 4:25أَخْدَانٍۢ ۚsecret lovers
  • 5:5أَخْدَانٍۢ ۗsecret lovers
View all 2 occurrences

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 6 Classical meanings

  • خِدْن

    A friend, companion, or associate, especially a private companion or one who converses with another.

    The term may apply to a male or female companion. It can also denote an amorous companion and may be used metaphorically for an object of devoted attachment, such as eminence. In the phrase خِدْنُ الجارية, it denotes the girl's conversational companion.

    • Lane · entry 18632

  • خَادَنَ

    To associate or keep company with another as a friend or companion.

    Form III. The attested legal expression applies this association to someone whose occupation brings people together; this is a contextual use of the companionship sense.

    • Lane · entry 18631

  • مُخَادَنَة

    Reciprocal amatory signaling through contracting the eyes while exchanging enticing talk.

    A specialized conventional use of the verbal noun مُخَادَنَة.

    • Lane · entry 18631

  • خَدِين

    A close friend or companion who remains with another in every affair, both open and private.

    This derived form emphasizes enduring companionship and presence in all circumstances.

    • Lane · entry 18632

  • خُدَنَة

    One who frequently associates with men as a friend or secret companion.

    The attested lexical description concerns repeated association as a خِدْن.

    • Lane · entry 18633

  • أَخْدَن

    Having friends or secret companions.

    An adjectival description of one who has أخدان.

    • Lane · entry 18635

Cautions

Points that affect how this root should be read.

  • The Quranic occurrences are plural أخدان; the public headword is normalized to the singular citation form خِدْن.

  • The historical Quran citation notation in the lexical evidence is not used to infer a modern verse location; the displayed locations are the supplied QAC occurrences.