Arabic word sheet
نُطْفَةٌ
Seminal fluid
- Type
- noun
- Root
- ن ط ف
Meaning and usage
Seminal fluid
The fluid of human reproduction, from which the child is born. The word names it as a small drop.
فَحَصَ الطَّبِيبُ النُّطْفَةَ تَحْتَ الْمِجْهَرِ.
The doctor examined the seminal fluid under the microscope.
A little water
A small quantity of water, what is left at the bottom of a vessel, a mouthful.
تَرَكَ الطِّفْلُ نُطْفَةً فِي الْكُوبِ.
The child left a little water in the cup.
Clear water
In the old language it is also said of clear, pure water, whether there is little of it or much.
شَرِبَ الرَّاعِي مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ فِي الْجَبَلِ.
The shepherd drank from clear water in the mountain.
Plural
نُطَفٌ / نِطَافٌ
Word family
What the root means ن ط ف
The root carries the idea of water falling drop by drop. From it come the small quantity of water, the seminal fluid, so named for its small quantity, the pearl or earring likened to a drop of water, and the sweetmeat that drips before it sets. The same root also speaks of being tainted by a fault.
to drip
نَطَفَ
a small remnant of water
نُطَافَةٌ
earrings; small pearls
نَطَفٌ
a kind of sweetmeat
نَاطِفٌ
Synonyms
semen
مَنِيٌّ
It is the direct name of this fluid, whereas the headword names it as a small drop and also means a little water.