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Pray for the Truth

Quranic root

زور

z · w · r

A semantic orientation of inclination or turning aside: something may depart from a proper direction, while a visitor turns toward the person visited and falsehood turns away from truth.

The root develops from physical or directional inclination to deviation from truth, preparation or embellishment of speech, visiting by turning toward someone, and related extensions involving authority or strength.

  • Maqāyīs · row 2317
3
Quran-attested forms
6
Quran senses
6
Quran occurrences

Forms in the Quran

The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.

زَارَ

zāra

Part of speech
Verb · Form I
Form
I
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.

  1. To visit; to go to someone or something, especially with the intention of seeing it.

    The Quranic occurrence is a perfect Form I verb meaning to visit or frequent a destination; the object is not restricted by gender, animacy, or social class.

    • Lane · entry 31851
    • Mufradāt · row 636
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 102:2word 2

    you visit

تَزَاوَرَ

tazāwara

Part of speech
Verb · Form VI
Form
VI
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.

  1. To incline away or turn aside from something.

    In the Quranic construction تَزَاوَرُ عَنْ, the verb describes the sun inclining away from the cave; the Form VI reciprocal pattern here expresses directional deviation rather than mutual visiting.

    • Lane · entry 31857
    • Mufradāt · row 636
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 18:17word 5

    inclining away

زُورٌ

zūrun

Part of speech
Noun
Quran occurrences
4 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. Falsehood, a lie, or false speech; something deviating from truth.

    The Quran uses the noun in expressions for false speech, a lie, or falsehood, including قول الزور and related coordinated constructions.

    • Lane · entry 31862
    • Mufradāt · row 636
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 22:30word 24

    false

    Quran 25:4word 16

    and a lie

    Quran 58:2word 19

    and a lie

  2. False testimony or false witness.

    In the interpretation of لا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ, الزور may denote false testimony or bearing false witness; this is a conventional Quranic construction rather than a restriction on the noun in every context.

    • Lane · entry 31862
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 25:72word 4

    (to) the falsehood

  3. Idolatrous association: treating another as a lord or object of worship instead of God.

    This is an explicitly reported interpretation of الزور in the Quranic passage لا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ; it is a Quran-attested interpretive use, not a general synonym for every instance of the noun.

    • Lane · entry 31862
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 25:72word 4

    (to) the falsehood

  4. A place or gathering associated with falsehood, vain diversion, singing, or other frivolous activity.

    This is another reported interpretation of الزور in لا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ, referring to places or assemblies where such activity occurs; the sources record several competing specifications of the gathering.

    • Lane · entry 31862
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 25:72word 4

    (to) the falsehood

Occurrences in the Quran

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

  • 18:17تَّزَٰوَرُinclining away
  • 22:30ٱلزُّورِfalse
  • 25:4وَزُورًۭاand a lie
  • 25:72ٱلزُّورَ(to) the falsehood
  • 58:2وَزُورًۭا ۚand a lie
View all 6 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 73 Classical meanings
  • زَارَ

    To visit death, meaning to die.

    A figurative expression in which death is treated as the destination visited.

    • Lane · entry 31851
  • زَارَ

    To fasten the rope called زِوَار to a camel.

    A specialized use referring to securing a rope between parts of a camel's harness.

    • Lane · entry 31851
  • زَوِرَ

    To incline, become crooked, or be distorted.

    This is the Form I intransitive use and its verbal noun; it may describe a person, an object, or a bodily part.

    • Lane · entry 31851
  • زَوَّرَهُ

    To honor and hospitably receive a visitor, acknowledging the visitor's claim.

    The construction is specifically used of treating a visitor well, including hospitality or slaughtering an animal for the visitor.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • زَوَّرَ الشَّهَادَةَ

    To impugn, annul, or invalidate testimony.

    The object is testimony or a related claim; an illustrative application to a person being calumniated is subsumed here.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • زَوَّرَ نَفْسَهُ

    To stigmatize oneself by attributing falsehood to oneself.

    A conventional reflexive construction involving self-imputation of falsehood.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • زَوَّرَ كَلَامَهُ

    To falsify speech or embellish it with lies.

    The use concerns deliberately making speech deceptive or deceptively attractive.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • زَوَّرَ شَيْئًا

    To remove an obliquity, rectify, adjust, correct, or beautify a thing.

    The source applies this broad transitive use to things generally and does not restrict it to good or bad objects.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • زَوَّرَ كَلَامًا

    To make speech or a narrative sound right by preparing, correcting, arranging, or embellishing it before utterance.

    The construction emphasizes mental preparation and adjustment of speech; it is distinct from the separate use meaning falsification with lies.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • زَوَّرَ نَفْسَهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ

    To correct or discipline oneself against oneself; alternatively, to accuse oneself of wrong.

    The source records both explanations for this reflexive expression.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • تَزْوِيرٌ

    Likeness or the act of likening one thing to another.

    A nominal use of the Form II verbal noun.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • زَوَّرَ

    Of a bird, to have its crop become raised or full.

    A specialized zoological use describing the bird's crop.

    • Lane · entry 31852
  • أَزَارَهُ

    To cause or incite someone to visit another person.

    The object of the causative verb is the person made to visit, and the destination may be someone other than the speaker.

    • Lane · entry 31853
  • أَزَارَهُ شَعُوبَ

    To cause someone to visit death, meaning to kill him.

    A figurative causative construction.

    • Lane · entry 31853
  • أَزَارَ

    To introduce someone or mention his name in a eulogy or poem, thereby praising him.

    The object is introduced into praise, a eulogy, or an ode in a figurative use.

    • Lane · entry 31853
  • تَزَوَّرَ

    To say what is false or speak falsely.

    A Form V intransitive use; it is not the same citation form as the Form II transitive uses of falsifying or preparing speech.

    • Lane · entry 31854
  • تَزَاوَرُوا

    To visit one another; to engage in mutual visiting.

    A Form VI reciprocal use, distinct from the Quranic directional use of تَزَاوَرَ عَنْ.

    • Lane · entry 31855
  • اِزْدَارَ

    To swallow a morsel or mouthful.

    A variant use explicitly compared with اِزْدَرَدَ.

    • Lane · entry 31856
  • اِسْتَزَارَهُ

    To ask someone to visit.

    A Form X causative/request construction.

    • Lane · entry 31858
  • اِزْوِرَارٌ

    Crookedness, curving, or distortion of the breast or chest.

    A bodily or anatomical specialization of the general notion of inclination or distortion.

    • Lane · entry 31857
    • Lane · entry 31863
    • Lane · entry 31878
  • زَوْرٌ

    A camel whose hump inclines to one side.

    A specialized description of an animal's form.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • زَوْرَةٌ

    A strong, thick she-camel, especially one characterized by a sharp or vehement sideways glance.

    The source gives both the physical description and the sharp-tempered manner of looking as applications.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • زَوْرَةٌ

    A desert that is extensive, difficult, or not easy to traverse.

    A descriptive use of the feminine form for difficult terrain.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • زَوْرٌ

    The direction of a person toward whom one proceeds.

    A nominal use associated with the destination or direction of a visit.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • زَوْرٌ

    The breast or chest, including its upper, middle, or otherwise specified central portion.

    The sources give several anatomical specifications and also extend the term to the camel's whole breast.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • أَلْقَى زَوْرَهُ

    To remain, stay, or abide.

    A figurative idiom, literally depicting the breast being cast upon the ground.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • الزُّوَيْرُ

    The lord, chief, or person in charge of a people.

    The leadership sense is explained through people turning to that person rather than to anyone else.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • زَوْرٌ

    Determination or strength of determination.

    An abstract nominal use.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • زَوْرٌ

    A palm branch, especially a straight slender branch stripped of its leaves.

    A regional or dialectal botanical use.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • زَوْرٌ

    A mass or piece of stone encountered while digging a well and left exposed because it cannot be broken.

    A specialized term of well-digging.

    • Lane · entry 31861
  • زُورٌ

    A thing regarded with suspicion or treated as a ground for suspicion.

    The source equates this use with تُهَمَةٌ; it is distinct from the general meaning falsehood.

    • Lane · entry 31862
  • زُورٌ

    An object or idol worshipped instead of God.

    A figurative or extended nominal use, including a particular idol in one reported specification.

    • Lane · entry 31862
  • زُورٌ

    Judgment, understanding, intellect, or intelligence to which one can have recourse.

    The sources report several closely related formulations, including strength of judgment.

    • Lane · entry 31862
  • زُورٌ

    Strength or firmness, including the strength of a rope.

    The source notes disagreement about whether this branch is native Arabic or an Arabicized term.

    • Lane · entry 31862
  • زُورٌ

    Deliciousness, sweetness, or pleasantness of food.

    A specialized sensory use.

    • Lane · entry 31862
  • زُورٌ

    Softness and cleanness of a garment or piece of cloth.

    A specialized descriptive use of fabric.

    • Lane · entry 31862
  • زَوَرٌ

    Inclination, crookedness, wryness, or distortion.

    The verbal noun describes deviation in a thing or part; specific anatomical cases are treated separately.

    • Lane · entry 31863
  • زِيرٌ

    A person who frequently visits or associates with women, especially to converse or mix with them.

    The source primarily applies the term to a man but records rare application to a woman as well.

    • Lane · entry 31864
  • زِيرٌ

    Custom, habit, or established practice.

    An abstract nominal use.

    • Lane · entry 31864
  • زِيرٌ

    A slender, firmly twisted cord or bowstring; also the smallest string of a lute.

    The source records both the general cord and musical-instrument applications.

    • Lane · entry 31864
  • زِيرٌ

    Flax, or a portion of flax.

    A botanical or material noun, with a feminine derivative for a portion.

    • Lane · entry 31864
  • زِوَرٌّ

    A vehement or rapid pace.

    A descriptive use of the intensive form.

    • Lane · entry 31865
  • زِوَرٌّ

    Vehement, strong, hardy, or robust.

    The source leaves the object open generally and applies the term especially to a strong or hardy camel.

    • Lane · entry 31865
  • زِوَرَّةُ أَسْفَارٍ

    A she-camel prepared for journeys or inclined to one side through briskness.

    The inclination in this expression need not imply distortion of the chest.

    • Lane · entry 31865
  • زَارَةٌ

    The crop of a bird; also the receptacle in which a qata bird carries water to its young.

    A specialized zoological use.

    • Lane · entry 31867
  • زَارَةُ الأَسَدِ

    A thicket, wood, forest, or reed bed serving as a lion's haunt.

    The place is named for the lion's frequenting it; the source also specifies a thicket containing grass, reeds, and water.

    • Lane · entry 31867
  • زَارَةٌ

    A collected or large group of camels, sheep, goats, or people.

    The source gives a more specific range of roughly fifty to sixty for some mixed groups.

    • Lane · entry 31867
  • زَوْرَةٌ

    A single visit.

    A count noun derived from the visiting sense.

    • Lane · entry 31868
  • زَوْرَةٌ

    Distance or remoteness.

    A nominal extension associated with turning or traveling away.

    • Lane · entry 31868
  • زَوْرَةٌ

    A she-camel that looks from the outer angle of her eye because of vehemence or sharpness of temper.

    This is a specialized animal description in a reported poetic interpretation.

    • Lane · entry 31868
  • زِيرَةٌ

    A manner or style of visiting.

    Used in expressions describing someone as good in the manner of visiting.

    • Lane · entry 31869
  • زِوَارٌ

    A rope placed between a camel's fore-girth and kind-girth to keep the latter from injuring the animal.

    A specialized piece of camel equipment; a related extension denotes a means of rectification or protection.

    • Lane · entry 31870
  • زِوَارٌ

    A means of rectifying, defending, or protecting one thing from another.

    A figurative extension of the protective camel rope.

    • Lane · entry 31870
  • زَوَّارٌ

    A person who visits frequently.

    An intensive visitor noun, attested in a poetic example.

    • Lane · entry 31874
  • زَائِرٌ

    A person who visits; a visitor.

    The source also records plural and quasi-plural uses and a related original verbal-noun interpretation.

    • Lane · entry 31875
  • زَائِرٌ

    A phantom or apparition seen in sleep.

    A figurative extension of the visitor notion.

    • Lane · entry 31875
  • أَزْوَرُ

    Inclining, crooked, wry, or distorted.

    An adjective applying to a person, animal, object, or bodily part; the specific applications are separately recorded below.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • أَزْوَرُ

    A dog with a narrow chest and a projecting breastbone.

    A specialized anatomical description of a dog.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • أَزْوَرُ

    A person or animal with a wry neck.

    An anatomical specialization of the adjective.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • أَزْوَرُ

    A beast that looks from the outer angle of its eyes or moves with an inclination toward one side.

    The source distinguishes brisk sideways movement from actual distortion of the chest.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • زَوْرَاءُ

    A curved or bent bow.

    A figurative use based on the bow's curvature.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • أَزْوَرُ

    A minaret or tower deviating from the perpendicular.

    A figurative architectural use.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • أَزْوَرُ

    A deep well or a well dug crookedly rather than straight.

    A figurative use applied to a well.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • أَزْوَرُ

    A far-extending tract or desert that turns aside; by extension, a country or army so described.

    A figurative geographical or collective use.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • أَزْوَرُ

    A bad, crooked, or distorted saying or phrase.

    A figurative application of physical crookedness to speech.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • زَوْرَاءُ

    A drinking cup or bowl, including an oblong drinking vessel.

    A substantivized epithet in a reported figurative use.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • أَزْوَرُ عَنْ مَقَامِ الذُّلِّ

    Remote from or averse to a state of baseness or humiliation.

    A fixed figurative expression.

    • Lane · entry 31878
  • مَزَارٌ

    A place or time of visiting.

    A noun of place or time derived from the visiting verb.

    • Lane · entry 31879
  • مَزُورٌ

    Visited.

    A passive participial adjective.

    • Lane · entry 31880
  • مُزَوَّرٌ

    A camel distorted in the breast or chest during birth or extraction.

    A specialized passive participle describing a lasting effect of pressure or squeezing on the newborn camel.

    • Lane · entry 31881
  • مُزَوَّرٌ

    Speech that has been falsified or embellished with lies.

    A passive participial use applied to speech.

    • Lane · entry 31881
  • مُزَوَّرٌ

    Speech that has been corrected, arranged, prepared, or beautified before being uttered.

    A separate reported interpretation of the passive participle, emphasizing preparation rather than falsification.

    • Lane · entry 31881
  • مُزْدَارَةٌ

    Visitors to the Prophet's tomb.

    A specialized collective or plural use.

    • Lane · entry 31882

Cautions

Points that affect how this root should be read.

  • The interpretation of لا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ includes materially different reported readings: false witness, avoidance of falsehood or its gatherings, idolatrous association, and assemblies of vain diversion. These are presented as usage-specific interpretations rather than as interchangeable universal definitions.

  • Lane's printed Quran references use historical citation notation, including references such as Kur xviii.16 and xxii.31; no such notation has been converted directly into a modern verse location. The displayed Quran locations come from QAC, with the Form VI identification also supported independently by the supplied Mufradat discussion.

  • The QAC Form I group is displayed under the normalized citation form زَارَ, although its supplied Quran lemma is an inflected internal morphology identity.