Quranic root
زيل
z · y · l
The root's semantic orientation is separation, divergence, and being set apart.
The lexical development runs from putting things apart and removing them to mutual separation, dispersion, physical spacing, and figurative withdrawal or reserve. The root lexicographic tradition also treats the ياء as historically related to a واو.
- Maqāyīs · row 2333
- Lane · entry 32008
- Lane · entry 32012
- 3
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- Quran senses
- 10
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
زَالَ
zāla
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 8 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.
In the Quranic negative construction, not to cease; to continue or remain.
Used with negative particles such as مَا, لَا, or لَمْ as an incomplete verb. The negated construction conveys continuation or persistence and may govern a subject and predicate.
- Lane · entry 32007
Selected Quran examples
زَيَّلَ
zayyala
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- 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.
To separate widely; to disperse or set apart from one another.
A transitive causative/intensive separation verb; the Quranic construction uses بَيْنَ to express separation between parties.
- Lane · entry 32008
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:28word 11
“Then We will separate”
تَزَيَّلَ
tazayyala
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form V
- Form
- V
- 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.
To become separated from one another; to become widely apart or dispersed.
A reflexive or quasi-passive separation verb, used for parties becoming distinct from one another.
- Lane · entry 32011
Selected Quran examples
Quran 48:25word 34
“they had been apart”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:217يَزَالُونَthey will cease
- 5:13تَزَالُwill you cease
- 9:110يَزَالُ(will) cease
- 10:28فَزَيَّلْنَاThen We will separate
- 11:118يَزَالُونَthey will cease
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 11 Classical meanings
زَالَ
To cease to be or exist.
The complete intransitive verb is distinguished from the incomplete verb used in the negative continuation construction mā zāla, lā yazālu, and lam yazal.
- Lane · entry 32007
زَالَهُ
To put or set one thing apart from another; to remove or separate it.
Transitive Form I usage, including separating one thing from another.
- Lane · entry 32007
زَايَلَهُ
To separate oneself from another; to withdraw from him in conduct or action.
The verb can describe withdrawing from someone while no longer mixing with him in one's actions; a cited use describes veiling the face from him.
- Lane · entry 32009
أَزَالَهُ
To remove something from its place.
Transitive Form IV usage, with مِنْ or عَنْ indicating removal from a place or position.
- Lane · entry 32010
تَزَايَلَ
To become abashed, reserved, or withdrawn before someone.
A figurative use explained through the idea of separating and shrinking back from another person.
- Lane · entry 32012
اِنْزَالَ
To be put or set apart, removed, or separated from someone or something.
Passive or intransitive Form VII usage, commonly followed by عَنْهُ or a similar expression of separation.
- Lane · entry 32013
زَيَلٌ
The width or distance between the thighs.
A bodily descriptive noun, compared with فَجَجٌ.
- Lane · entry 32014
أَزْيَلٌ
Having the thighs wide apart.
An adjectival description of bodily spacing.
- Lane · entry 32015
مِزْيَلٌ / مِزْيَالٌ
A person acute, clever, skilful, and knowledgeable in subtle matters; also, according to an alternative explanation, a contentious litigant who shifts from one plea or argument to another.
The second explanation focuses on rapid shifting between arguments in altercation or litigation.
- Lane · entry 32016
- Lane · entry 32017
الحَبِيبُ المُزَايِلُ
A beloved or friend who is in a state of separation or disunion.
A phrase-level use describing a beloved or friend who is separated or apart.
- Lane · entry 32018
مُتَزَايِلَةٌ
A woman who veils her face from men.
A specialized lexical use describing withdrawal from view by covering the face.
- Lane · entry 32012
- Lane · entry 32019
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic Form I occurrences are used in negative continuation constructions; the supplied word-level contextual glosses may omit the force of the surrounding negative particle.
The root discussion treats the ياء as historically related to a واو; supplemental entries under زول have therefore not been imported as independent direct evidence for this QAC root.
The supplied phrase-level Lane headword contains an apparent transcription error; it is normalized here as الحبيب المُزَايِلُ in accordance with the accompanying explanation.