Lisan al-Arab (Ibn Manzur, d. 711H)

The root لقف (laqafa) primarily denotes quick reception or taking of something, often thrown or falling. This extends to swift understanding, skillful handling, and even consumption or swallowing. It can also describe a state of fullness or collapse, particularly for a basin or wall.

This root primarily concerns feelings of regret, sorrow, grief, and distress, often stemming from something lost or missed. It also extends to the state of being distressed, desperate, or wronged, and can be used metaphorically for intense longing or suffering.

This root primarily describes a specific type of plant, its characteristics, growth habits, and medicinal uses. It also refers to the plant's fruit and bulb.

This root primarily concerns fibrous material, especially the natural fibers found on palm trees and coconuts. It extends to the process of producing or accumulating such fibers and the resulting products.

This root primarily concerns the act of eating or drinking, often with a nuance of selecting the best or the beginning of something. It can also refer to being satisfied or satiated by drinking.

This root primarily concerns the act of plucking, pulling out, or tearing away something, especially hair or small pieces. It extends to describe the result of this action, the tools used, and metaphorically, a person who acquires knowledge superficially without thoroughness.

The root نجف (najaf) primarily relates to elevated or raised landforms, such as hills, mounds, or elevated parts of valleys. It also extends to concepts of width, breadth, and excavation, particularly in relation to graves and containers. Additionally, it encompasses actions of lifting, raising, and extracting, as well as specific uses related to animal husbandry and clothing.

This root primarily concerns the concept of thinness, leanness, and emaciation. It describes a state of being physically reduced in flesh, often to the point of being gaunt or skinny, but can also refer to a natural slenderness.

This root primarily relates to sounds, particularly nasal sounds and animal noises. It also extends to meanings related to footwear and, in a less common usage, sexual intercourse.

The root ندف primarily relates to the action of beating or striking, particularly cotton with a tool called a 'mandaf'. This core meaning extends to descriptions of things being struck or fluffed, and metaphorically to rapid movement or falling.

This root primarily concerns the depletion or exhaustion of something, particularly liquids like water or wine, or blood. It extends to the resulting weakness or loss of consciousness from such depletion, and also to the act of causing this depletion.

The root نشف (nashafa) primarily relates to the absorption or soaking up of liquids, particularly water, by porous materials like earth or fabric. It also extends to the idea of drying out, the residue left behind, and specific types of stones used for cleaning or scrubbing.

This root primarily concerns the concept of 'half' or 'middle'. It extends to actions like taking, reaching, or dividing something into halves, as well as the state of being halfway through something. It also encompasses notions of fairness, justice, and service, often metaphorically related to giving or receiving an equal share.

This root primarily relates to consuming or drinking something completely, often to the last drop. It also extends to meanings of being impure or unclean, and in a more obscure sense, to flatulence.

This root primarily concerns cleanliness, purity, and being free from dirt, defects, or impurities. It extends to concepts of moral and spiritual purity, as well as thoroughness in taking or consuming something.

This root primarily describes elevated or sloping terrain, particularly the upper parts of mountains or hills, and areas that are higher than riverbeds but not rugged. It also extends to parts of saddles and even the upper part of a sandal.

This root primarily concerns various types of worms or larvae, particularly those found in the nasal passages of animals or within the earth. It extends metaphorically to describe something lowly, insignificant, or dried-up, and also refers to specific anatomical features.

This root primarily relates to the act of consuming or eating fine powder, particularly grain-based preparations like suwaīq. It also extends to descriptions of a swollen or distended belly.

The root 'نفنف' primarily denotes concepts related to open spaces, voids, and distances, particularly the air or a void between things, and by extension, vast, empty expanses like deserts or ravines. It also extends to the edges or peripheries of objects or places.

The root نقف (n-q-f) primarily denotes the act of breaking, cracking, or piercing, often with the implication of extracting something from within. This extends to concepts of striking, fighting, and even the emergence of young from eggs or the production of young by insects.

The root نكف (nkf) primarily relates to the act of wiping away or removing something, particularly tears or sweat. It extends to meanings of stopping, ceasing, being inexhaustible, and also encompasses physical descriptions of glands and ailments in the throat and ears, as well as abstract concepts like refusal and disassociation.

This root appears to be very rare and possibly obscure. The primary meaning provided relates to confusion or bewilderment.

The root 'nawf' (نوف) primarily denotes concepts of height, elevation, and superiority. It extends to meanings of excess, increase, and abundance, often in relation to numbers or physical stature. It also encompasses specific anatomical terms and geographical features.

This root primarily concerns loud, high-pitched, or strong sounds, often associated with calling out, shouting, or vocalizing. It extends to the sound of certain objects like bows and doves, and can imply praise or lamentation.

This root primarily describes something or someone that is tall, large, and heavy, often with connotations of being slow, sluggish, or weak. It can also refer to extreme leanness and emaciation due to hunger or illness.

This root appears to relate to qualities of being rough, coarse, or unrefined, particularly in a physical or textural sense. It may also extend to describing something as harsh or unyielding.

The root 'hadafa' (هدف) primarily relates to concepts of proximity, approach, and standing out or being prominent. It encompasses physical closeness, aiming at a target, and things that are elevated or conspicuous. The root also extends to meanings of speed and urgency.

This root primarily relates to the concept of speed and swiftness, particularly in movement. It describes something or someone that is fast, quick, or moving rapidly, often without a specific method of propulsion implied.

The root هرف (harf) primarily relates to excessive or unverified praise and speech, bordering on delusion or boasting. It also extends to concepts of early growth, sound, and increase.

This root primarily describes things that are old, worn out, and shriveled, often with a connotation of being dried out or desiccated. It extends to describe elderly or decrepit individuals, as well as objects that are worn and stiff. It also touches upon the act of drinking or absorbing liquid.

This root primarily describes a state of being rough, coarse, or uncivilized, often applied to people or animals. It can also refer to physical characteristics like being tall or having long feathers, and in a verbal sense, it means to treat someone as insignificant or foolish.

This root primarily describes ostriches, specifically the male ostrich (dhaleem), often highlighting its speed and large size. It also extends to describe swiftness and agility in general.

This root primarily refers to a proper name, specifically of a man and a tribe. It is associated with the carving of large wooden bowls.

The root هفف primarily relates to lightness, speed, and thinness. This extends to concepts like rapid movement, thin or insubstantial clouds, light clothing, and even a lack of substance in things like honey or crops. It can also denote a specific type of fish or a weak, cowardly person.

This root appears to relate to a lack of appetite or desire for food. However, its usage and validity are questioned.

This root appears to describe a specific type of rapid movement, particularly in running. It is noted as an archaic or obsolete term.

This root primarily describes something large, heavy, and abundant, often associated with physical attributes like thick hair or age. It can refer to a large beard, an old or decrepit person or animal, or something generally slow and cumbersome.

This root primarily concerns various forms of laughter, ranging from a weak, mocking chuckle to more overt amusement and even feigned laughter. It also extends to expressions of distress, specifically the prelude to crying or actual crying, particularly in children, and can metaphorically refer to eagerness or haste.

This root appears to relate to a lack of goodness or a specific type of wind. The primary usage found describes a person as having no good in them, and a wind that is either cold or hot, with some debate on its precise temperature.

This root primarily concerns hot, dry winds, particularly those from the south (Yemen), which cause dryness, thirst, and wilting. It also extends to describe the physical state of being thin, particularly a slender waist and shrunken belly, often associated with thirst or leanness.

This root appears to relate to the concept of being firm, solid, or well-established, particularly in relation to foundations or structures. It also seems to extend to the idea of being strong or robust.

The root وجف (w-j-f) primarily relates to rapid movement, specifically the swift pace of animals like camels and horses. It also extends to the rapid beating or trembling of the heart, and metaphorically to being overwhelmed or seized by something.

This root primarily relates to abundance, density, and lushness, particularly concerning hair, plants, and land. It also extends to concepts of speed, approach, and specific locations or objects associated with these qualities.

This root primarily concerns the act of mixing or beating substances, particularly liquids with powders or solids, to create a paste, solution, or viscous mixture. It extends to describe the resulting viscous or paste-like substance, and metaphorically, to actions of confusion or aimlessness.

The root ودف primarily relates to the concept of dripping, flowing, or oozing, particularly of liquids like fat or bodily fluids. It also extends to meanings associated with abundance, lushness, and fertility, especially in the context of vegetation and land.

This root primarily describes a specific manner of walking characterized by a swaying, strutting gait, and sometimes by speed or a measured pace. It also extends to concepts of immediacy and a woman's vulva.

This root primarily describes lushness, verdancy, and abundance, particularly in plants and shade. It conveys a sense of thriving, flourishing, and spreading out.