← Back to Lisan al-Arab

كعا

Root entry · 5 derived lemmas

This root primarily relates to the concept of cowardice and fleeing. It describes someone who is cowardly, a coward, or a deserter. It also has a secondary, unrelated meaning concerning knots or ties.

Derived headwords

كَعَاverb
  1. 1.
    to be cowardlyboth

    To exhibit cowardice or fear, leading to inaction or flight.

كَاعِيadjective
  1. 1.
    cowardlyboth

    Describing someone who is cowardly or fearful.

الكاعيnoun
  1. 1.
    deserterclassical

    One who flees from battle or duty due to cowardice.

  2. 2.
    cowardboth

    A person characterized by a lack of courage.

الأكْعاءnoun
  1. 1.
    cowardsclassical

    Plural form referring to individuals who are cowardly.

الأعْكاءnoun
  1. 1.
    knotsclassical

    Refers to ties or knots, a distinct semantic branch from cowardice.

Parallel reading

كعا إذا جبن
He was cowardly if he was afraid.
الكاعي المنهزم
The deserter is the one who flees.
الأكْعاء الجبناء
The cowards are the fearful ones.
والأعكاء العقد
And the knots are the ties.