Quranic root
خمط
kh · m · ṭ
The root has two principal orientations: being stripped, smooth, or without thorns; and forceful agitation, assault, or turbulent movement.
The first orientation extends to thornless vegetation and its bitter or otherwise unpalatable produce, while related derivatives preserve sourness and angry, roaring agitation. The second is illustrated by the raging of a stallion and the violent turbulence of waves.
- Maqāyīs · row 1647
- Lane · entry 20092
- Mufradāt · row 438
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- 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.
خَمْطٌ
khamṭun
- 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.
Bitter, disagreeable-tasting, and unpalatable, with a choking quality.
In the Quranic expression أَكُلِ خَمْطٍ, it describes the produce or food as bitter and unpleasant rather than fit for ordinary eating.
- Lane · entry 20092
Selected Quran examples
Quran 34:16word 11
“bitter”
The arāk tree or its fruit, as a botanical interpretation of the Quranic expression.
In 34:16, some classical readings understand خَمْط as the arāk tree, while another takes it as the fruit of arāk; this is an alternative interpretation to the adjectival sense “bitter and unpalatable.”
- Lane · entry 20092
- Mufradāt · row 438
Selected Quran examples
Quran 34:16word 11
“bitter”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 34:16خَمْطٍۢbitter
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
خَمْطٌ
A tree or its fruit, especially the arāk; also applied to various other reported tree species and named fruits.
Classical identifications vary and include thornless trees, thorn-bearing trees, sidr-like trees, and the fruit called فَسْوَةُ الضَّبُعِ, described in one account as a useless, friable fruit resembling a poppy.
- Lane · entry 20092
- Mufradāt · row 438
خَمْطٌ
A poisonous or deadly tree; by extension, deadly poison.
A distinct poisonous-plant or poison usage recorded among the classical interpretations of the word.
- Lane · entry 20092
خَمْطٌ
Scanty fruit borne by trees.
A specialized botanical usage, distinct from the general description of bitterness or unpleasant taste.
- Lane · entry 20092
خَمْطٌ
Bitter, sour, or acid, applied generally to a thing.
This broader adjectival use is not restricted to the Quranic produce described in 34:16.
- Lane · entry 20092
خَمْطَةٌ
Wine that has turned sour.
A feminine nominal derivative referring specifically to wine affected by sourness.
- Mufradāt · row 438
تَخَمَّطَ
To become angry or enraged; of a stallion, to rage and roar.
A derived verbal construction expressing agitation or hostile excitement, not the botanical or taste meanings of خَمْطٌ.
- Mufradāt · row 438
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The botanical referent and grammatical parsing of خَمْطٍ in 34:16 are disputed in classical interpretation; the Quranic form therefore preserves both the adjectival and arāk-related readings.