Quranic root
يتم
y · t · m
The root centers on orphanhood as separation from one's originating parent and extends lexically to the condition of standing alone or being peerless.
In human usage, orphanhood is loss of the father before maturity; in animals, it is loss of the mother. The same idea of separation and singularity can extend to any solitary or unmatched thing. The Qur'anic form represents the human branch.
- Maqāyīs · row 5248
- Mufradāt · row 1624
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 23
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
يَتِيم
yatīm
- Part of speech
- Noun · Adjective
- Quran occurrences
- 23 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 child deprived of his or her father before reaching maturity; an orphan.
The Qur'anic form includes the singular يَتِيم and the plural يَتَامَى, used substantivally and adjectivally for human orphans.
- Mufradāt · row 1624
Selected Quran examples
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:83وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰand [the] orphans
- 2:177وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰand the orphans
- 2:215وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰand the orphans
- 2:220ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ ۖthe orphans
- 4:2ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰٓ(to) the orphans
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 2 Classical meanings
أَيْتَمَ
To make someone fatherless; to cause someone to become an orphan.
A transitive Form IV verb describing the causative action of making a person an orphan.
- Lane · entry 12162
يَتِيم
A solitary or peerless thing, such as a unique pearl; by extension, an exceptional or singular poetic verse.
A broader figurative use based on being separated from one's source or having no equal; this is not the human-orphan sense represented by the Qur'anic occurrences.
- Mufradāt · row 1624
- Maqāyīs · row 5248
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The QAC group combines singular يَتِيم and plural يَتَامَى forms with noun and adjective analyses; the public headword is the singular dictionary citation form.