Quranic root
خون
kh · w · n
The root centers on diminution or loss: a shortfall in what is due, especially a shortfall of fidelity that becomes betrayal.
From loss or diminution, the root develops the sense of failing a trust or covenant and extends in derived usages to impairment, gradual wasting, failure, suspected betrayal, and attempted betrayal.
- Maqāyīs · row 1677
- Lane · entry 20345
- 6
- Quran-attested forms
- 7
- Quran senses
- 16
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
خَانَ
khāna
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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.
To betray or be unfaithful to a person, trust, covenant, or confidence.
The use is not limited to property; it may concern an entrusted matter, a covenant, or a relationship of trust.
- Lane · entry 20345
- Mufradāt · row 446
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:27word 5
“betray”
Quran 12:52word 5
“[I] betray him”
Quran 66:10word 16
“but they both betrayed them”
اِخْتَانَ
āikhtāna
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VIII
- Form
- VIII
- 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.
To seek, entertain, or move toward betrayal; to contemplate betraying rather than necessarily complete the betrayal.
In the Quranic construction with oneself, the Form VIII expression describes an incipient or attempted inclination toward betrayal, distinguished from completed خِيَانَة.
- Lane · entry 20345
- Mufradāt · row 446
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:187word 18
“deceive”
Quran 4:107word 5
“deceive”
خَائِنَةٌ
khāʾinahun
- Part of speech
- Active participle / verbal 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.
A treacherous person, party, or act; treachery viewed as an instance of unfaithfulness.
In the Quranic passage concerning a group, the feminine form may refer to a treacherous group or person; it is also explained as a verbal noun meaning treachery.
- Mufradāt · row 446
- Lane · entry 20345
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:13word 21
“treachery”
A furtive or concealed glance, eye signal, or intentionally contracted look.
Occurs in the construction خَائِنَةُ الأَعْيُنِ, referring to a surreptitious look or an eye gesture concealing an intention.
- Lane · entry 20357
- Lane · entry 20358
Selected Quran examples
Quran 40:19word 2
“(the) stealthy glance”
خَائِنٌ
khāʾinun
- Part of speech
- Active participle (plural form attested)
- 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 unfaithful or treacherous person; one who betrays a trust or confidence.
The supplied Quranic occurrences are masculine plural forms used substantivally for people characterized by betrayal.
- Lane · entry 20357
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:105word 14
“for the deceitful”
Quran 8:58word 14
“the traitors”
Quran 12:52word 12
“(of) the betrayers”
خَوَّانٌ
khawwānun
- Part of speech
- Intensive adjective / 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.
Highly or habitually treacherous; greatly and repeatedly unfaithful.
An intensive epithet, functioning adjectivally or substantivally for one characterized by pronounced unfaithfulness.
- Lane · entry 20357
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:107word 13
“treacherous”
Quran 22:38word 12
“treacherous”
خِيَانَةٌ
khiyānahun
- 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.
Betrayal: a secret breach of a trust, covenant, or right; unfaithfulness contrary to what is due.
The term is contrasted with أَمَانَةٌ and is not restricted to property; it may concern a covenant, trust, or other entrusted matter.
- Lane · entry 20345
- Mufradāt · row 446
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:58word 5
“betrayal”
Quran 8:71word 3
“(to) betray you”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:187تَخْتَانُونَdeceive
- 4:105لِّلْخَآئِنِينَfor the deceitful
- 4:107يَخْتَانُونَdeceive
- 4:107خَوَّانًاtreacherous
- 5:13خَآئِنَةٍۢtreachery
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
خَوْنٌ
Loss or diminution caused to another; a shortfall in what is due.
A broader lexical explanation of the root's primary signification, distinct from the Quranic covenant-betrayal use.
- Lane · entry 20345
خَانَ
To fail or prove ineffective; to be unable to carry out an action.
Attested in expressions for an ineffective sword and for limbs unable to perform their function.
- Lane · entry 20345
خَانَ
To break off or become severed from something.
Attested of a well-rope becoming detached from the bucket.
- Lane · entry 20345
خَانَ
To alter someone's condition for the worse; to bring hardship or deterioration.
Used of time, fortune, enjoyment, or anything that changes a person's condition from ease to difficulty or harm.
- Lane · entry 20345
خَوَّنَ
To attribute betrayal or treachery to someone.
This Form II usage assigns the characterization of unfaithfulness to another person.
- Lane · entry 20346
تَخَوَّنَ
To seek to expose someone's treachery or wrongful conduct; to suspect or accuse that person of it.
The construction may involve investigating or displaying a person's betrayal, lapse, or wrong action.
- Lane · entry 20347
تَخَوَّنَ
To diminish, waste, impair, or take away gradually.
Used for a right, an object, or bodily substance being reduced little by little.
- Lane · entry 20347
تَخَوَّنَ
To attend to repeatedly or return to someone or something time after time.
A separately reported usage associated with a variant of تَخَوَّلَ.
- Lane · entry 20347
خَانٌ
An inn, caravanserai, or lodging house for travelers and merchants.
An Arabicized loanword for a building or establishment where travelers, merchants, and their goods are received.
- Lane · entry 20349
خَانٌ
A shop.
A separate loanword usage reported alongside the lodging-house sense.
- Lane · entry 20349
خَانٌ
A shopkeeper.
A reported Arabicized loanword usage.
- Lane · entry 20349
خَانٌ
A title of honor for a ruler, governor, or man of rank.
A later title used among the Tartars, Turks, and Persians.
- Lane · entry 20349
خَوْنٌ
Weakness or diminished strength.
A figurative or extended usage, including physical weakness.
- Lane · entry 20350
خَوْنٌ
Languor or weakness in the gaze.
A figurative bodily usage describing the eye or sight.
- Lane · entry 20350
خَانِيٌّ
Pertaining to a merchants' caravanserai or lodging house.
A relational adjective derived from خَانٌ.
- Lane · entry 20351
خِوَانٌ
A table or stand on which food is placed and eaten.
The object is especially described as a table when food is upon it; the word is Arabicized from Persian.
- Lane · entry 20352
خَوَّانٌ
A lion.
An extended designation explained by the lion's treacherous character or languid gaze.
- Lane · entry 20354
- Lane · entry 20357
خَوَّانٌ
Time or fortune.
An extended or figurative usage.
- Lane · entry 20354
الخَوَّانُ
The day on which provisions are exhausted.
Attested in the expression seeking protection from that day.
- Lane · entry 20354
خَوَّانٌ
A reported old name for Rabīʿ al-Awwal.
The report is explicitly presented as doubtful by one authority.
- Lane · entry 20354
الخَوَّانَةُ
The anus.
A rare extended usage.
- Lane · entry 20356
مُتَخَوَّنٌ
One to whom betrayal or treachery is attributed.
A passive participial designation for a person accused or characterized as treacherous.
- Lane · entry 20360
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Form VIII Quranic usage is lexically distinguished from completed خِيَانَة: it describes an attempted or incipient movement toward betrayal in the cited construction.
The Quranic خَائِنَةٌ has more than one interpretation in the supplied evidence: a treacherous person or group, a verbal noun, and the furtive eye expression خَائِنَةُ الأَعْيُنِ.
The reported use of خَوَّانٌ for Rabīʿ al-Awwal is retained as a disputed Classical usage, not as a Quranic meaning.