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خمع

Root entry · 5 derived lemmas

This root primarily describes a limping or uneven gait. It is also used metaphorically for stealthy or predatory movement, leading to its application to animals known for such characteristics.

Derived headwords

خَمَعَverb
  1. 1.
    to limpboth

    To walk with an uneven or unsteady gait, often due to an injury or defect.

خُمَاعٌnoun
  1. 1.
    meaning, a limpboth

    meaning, a limp

الخَامِعَةnoun
  1. 1.
    hyenaclassical

    A hyena, so named because of its characteristic limping or uneven walk.

الخُمْعُnoun
  1. 1.
    wolfclassical

    A wolf, likely due to its stealthy or predatory movement.

الخُمْعُnoun
  1. 1.
    thiefclassical

    A thief, characterized by stealthy or clandestine movement.

Parallel reading

خمع في مشيته، أي ظلع.
He limped in his walk, meaning he had a limp.
وبه خماع أي ظلع.
And he had a limp, meaning a limp.
والخامعة: الضبع، لأنها تخمع إذا مشت
And the hyena: the hyena, because it limps when it walks.
والخمع بالكسر: الذئب، واللص.
And al-khum' (with kasra): the wolf, and the thief.