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

The root نخب (n-kh-b) primarily relates to selection, choosing the best, and extraction. It extends to concepts of choice individuals, cowardice, and weakness, often metaphorically linked to a lack of heart or vitality. It also encompasses physical actions like plucking or biting, and has specific uses related to sexual intercourse and anatomical terms.

This root primarily concerns the concept of holes, perforations, and cavities. It extends to describe natural or man-made openings in various materials like wood, stone, and wax, often implying damage or decay.

This root primarily concerns the concept of a mark or scar left by a wound, but extends metaphorically to the lasting impact of words or actions. It also encompasses the idea of calling out to someone, either in mourning or to incite them to action, and the response to such a call. Additionally, it relates to swiftness, eagerness, and taking risks.

This root primarily concerns the concepts of malice, slander, and malicious gossip. It extends to the act of stirring up trouble, mixing words deceitfully, and describes a person who is malicious or a troublemaker.

This root primarily concerns the sounds made by male antelopes, specifically during mating. It also extends to related terms for the male animal itself and a metaphorical meaning of a nickname.

This root primarily concerns lineage, kinship, and ancestry. It extends to concepts of belonging to a place or profession, and by extension, to the act of tracing or stating one's lineage. It also encompasses related ideas like affinity, resemblance, and even poetic expression about women.

This root primarily concerns the concept of getting stuck, entangled, or caught in something, preventing movement or escape. It extends to meanings of becoming involved, being deeply engaged, or experiencing difficulty. It also encompasses related ideas like clinging, holding fast, and the accumulation of wealth or possessions.

The root 'نصب' primarily relates to setting up, establishing, or erecting something. It extends to concepts of uprightness, setting a standard, and also encompasses specific terms for music, singing, and even a political/religious faction.

The root نضب (naḍaba) primarily concerns the concept of depletion, drying up, or becoming scarce, particularly related to water. It extends to meanings of distance, remoteness, and exhaustion, both physically and metaphorically. The root also encompasses related ideas like scarcity of resources and the physical state of being dried out or hollowed.

This root primarily relates to making holes or perforations, particularly in the context of filtering or draining liquids. It also extends to meanings associated with striking the ear, and metaphorically to foolishness or a head.

This root primarily concerns the sounds and cries of birds, particularly crows, and by extension, other animals and even humans. It also extends to describe rapid movement, especially of horses and camels, often characterized by a specific head movement.

The root نغب (n-gh-b) primarily relates to the act of swallowing or gulping, particularly liquids. It can describe a human swallowing saliva or water, a bird lapping water, or the act of taking a draught from a container. It also extends to meanings of hunger, desolation, and a reprehensible deed.

The root نقب (naqaba) primarily relates to the concept of penetrating, digging into, or investigating something deeply. This extends to exploring, uncovering information, and understanding the inner workings or true nature of things. It also encompasses roles of leadership and responsibility involving oversight and knowledge of a group's affairs.

This root primarily concerns deviation, turning aside, or inclining away from something, whether it be a path, truth, or a person. It also extends to concepts of avoidance, leaning, and physical ailments related to the shoulder or limbs. Additionally, it encompasses terms for specific winds and geographical features.

This root primarily concerns the act of taking something by force, raiding, plundering, or seizing. It extends to the concept of spoils of war, booty, and even the aggressive taking of something, whether physical or metaphorical like speech.

The root هبب primarily relates to sudden movement, awakening, and vigorous action. It encompasses the rising and agitation of wind, the awakening of a person from sleep, the swiftness of a camel or horse, and the sharpness or vibration of a sword. It also extends to concepts of intensity, eagerness, and even destruction.

The root هذب primarily relates to purification, refinement, and making something pure or excellent. It extends to concepts of speed, swiftness, and quick movement, particularly in the context of travel, speech, or flight. It can also denote the act of clearing or trimming.

This root primarily concerns the concept of excessive and rapid speech. It describes someone who talks a lot, often incoherently or without purpose, and the act of speaking in such a manner.

This root primarily concerns the concept of fleeing, escaping, or running away. It extends to meanings of moving quickly, being in a state of panic, or even disappearing. The root also encompasses related ideas like being driven to escape, or a state of being lost or absent.

This root primarily describes things that are tall, large, and massive, particularly camels. It extends to describe anything of great size or extent, and also includes place names.

This root describes individuals who are large, heavy, and cowardly. It also extends to describe an old woman and a slow or heavy gait.

This root pertains to descriptions of old age, specifically referring to an old woman. It emphasizes qualities of being worn out, ancient, and large due to age.

This root appears to relate to concepts of strength, robustness, and perhaps a certain boldness or ferocity. It is applied to animals like camels and eagles, as well as inanimate objects like iron, suggesting a core meaning of being strong, sturdy, or formidable.

This root primarily describes something large, expansive, or voluminous. It extends to individuals with a large throat or a large physique, specifically mentioning a large ostrich.

This root appears to relate to the concept of mockery or jesting. It is suggested that the original form of the word might have been with a 'mim' (م) instead of a 'ba' (ب).

The root 'هلب' primarily relates to hair, particularly coarse or abundant hair, and by extension, to things that are hairy or tufted. It also extends to concepts of intensity, abundance, and sometimes negative connotations like harshness or destruction, often metaphorically linked to the idea of hair being pulled out or a dense growth.

This root appears to describe large, bulky, or imposing things, particularly large cooking pots.

This root appears to relate to intense hunger or a state of extreme emaciation. It describes a severe degree of starvation and its physical manifestations.

This root primarily describes foolishness, stupidity, and extreme lack of intelligence. It is also used to refer to a specific man's name and a tribe descended from him. Some derived terms are considered archaic.

This root primarily refers to a specific type of wild green vegetable, often translated as chicory or endive. It also includes a feminine proper noun derived from the same word.

This root appears to describe something short or stunted, possibly related to physical stature or a lack of growth. The primary lemma suggests a short person, though its authenticity is questioned.

This root primarily relates to the concept of intense heat, burning, and radiance, often associated with fire or the sun. It also extends to meanings of distance and a state of being lost or unknown.

This root primarily concerns the concepts of awe, reverence, fear, and respect. It extends to notions of being imposing or intimidating, and also includes specific terms for animal calls and certain types of terrain.

This root primarily relates to concepts of being compact, dense, or constricted, often applied to hooves, containers, or physical build. It also extends to meanings of shame, shyness, and being held back or embarrassed.

This root appears to relate to preparation for war or a military campaign. It signifies readiness and the act of getting ready for an offensive action.

This root primarily concerns the concept of leaping, jumping, or springing. It extends to meanings of sudden movement, attacking, taking over, and even sitting or resting in certain dialects. Derived terms can refer to the act itself, the person or thing performing it, or specific types of movement and rest.

This root primarily relates to a state of being bad, corrupted, or spoiled. It can describe a general decline in condition or a specific instance of something being ruined or ill-fated.

This root primarily relates to the concept of cutting, severing, or being cut off. It is often used in the context of animal parts, specifically the intestines or udders, and by extension, can refer to something that is cut away or removed.

This root primarily relates to concepts of corruption, decay, and deception. It also encompasses terms for specific body parts, animal dens, and a type of hole or depression. Some derived terms are associated with cunning and trickery.

This root primarily concerns the concept of flowing or trickling, particularly water. It is also associated with a channel or conduit through which such flow occurs.

This root primarily relates to vegetation, specifically grass and dry herbage. It also extends to a structural component used in wells and, metaphorically, to dirtiness or filth.

This root primarily deals with the concept of mixed or mingled groups of people, often referring to the common folk, rabble, or heterogeneous crowds. It can also extend to describe a thick-skinned date.

This root primarily concerns the concepts of illness, pain, and suffering. It extends to meanings of constancy, permanence, and continuous effort, often in the context of enduring hardship or maintaining something.