← Back to Al-Qamus al-Muhit

ضفع

Root entry · 3 derived lemmas

This root primarily relates to the excrement or droppings of animals, specifically large ones like elephants. It also extends to describe a specific thorny fruit, possibly related to its appearance or texture.

Derived headwords

ضَفَعَverb
  1. 1.
    to excreteclassical

    To excrete or pass waste, particularly referring to the droppings of animals.

ضَفْعnoun
  1. 1.
    elephant dungclassical

    The excrement or droppings of an elephant.

ضَفْعَانَةnoun
  1. 1.
    thorny fruitclassical

    A thorny fruit of the Sa'dan plant, round like a spindle whorl, characterized by its exposed thorns when mature.

Parallel reading

والضفع: نجو الفيل.
And the dhaf' is the dung of the elephant.
والضفعانة: ثمرة السعدانة ذات الشوك، مستديرة كأنها فلكة، لا تراها إذا هاج السعدان وانتثر ثمره إلا مستلقية، قد كشرت عن شوكها وانتصت لقدم من يطؤها.
And the Dhaf'anah is the thorny fruit of the Sa'dan, round like a spindle whorl; you do not see it when the Sa'dan is in bloom and its fruit scatters, except lying on its back, having bared its thorns and poised for the foot of whoever treads upon it.