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شحث

Root entry · 3 derived lemmas

This root primarily relates to sharpening, honing, and making something keen or sharp. It also has a specific, possibly foreign, application to opening locks without keys.

Derived headwords

شَحَثَverb
  1. 1.
    to sharpenboth

    To make something sharp or keen, especially by rubbing it against a hard surface like a stone.

  2. 2.
    to honeclassical

    To refine or perfect a skill or ability, making it more effective.

اشْحَثَverb
  1. 1.
    to sharpen (a blade)both

    To sharpen a blade, such as a knife (مدية), by rubbing it on a stone (حجر). This is the specific application mentioned in the hadith.

هلمي المدية فاشحثيها بحجر — Bring the knife and sharpen it on a stone.
شَحِيثnoun
  1. 1.
    keyclassical

    A word, possibly of Syriac origin, referring to a key or a mechanism that opens locks without the need for a traditional key.

Parallel reading

قال الليث بلغنا أن شحيثا كلمة سريانية
Al-Layth said: We have been informed that 'shahiith' is a Syriac word.
وأنه تنفتح بها الأغاليق بلا مفاتيح
And that by it, locks are opened without keys.
وفي الحديث: هلمي المدية فاشحثيها بحجر
And in the hadith: 'Bring the knife and sharpen it on a stone.'
أي حديها وسنيها
Meaning, to sharpen and hone it.
ويقال بالذال
And it is also said with a 'dhal'.