al-Lataif fi al-Lugha = Mujam Asma al-Ashya
- Author died
- 1318 AH
- Editions
- Dar al-Fadilah
Al-Lataif fi al-Lugha (also titled Mu'jam Asma' al-Ashya') is an Arabic lexical work compiled by the Damascene scholar Ahmad ibn Mustafa al-Lababidi (d. 1318 AH / 1900 CE), focusing on synonyms, the names of objects and phenomena, and rare vocabulary.
Composition and Sources
Al-Lababidi completed the compilation of al-Lataif fi al-Lugha in the beginning of Muharram 1311 AH (July 1893 CE). His objective was to gather fine, precise vocabulary and synonymous expressions into an accessible arrangement to aid writers and speakers in stylistic composition.
The author drew the bulk of his lexical material from al-Firuzabadi's al-Qamus al-Muhit, supplemented selectively by classical references such as Abu Mansur al-Tha'alibi's Fiqh al-Lugha, Fasih Tha'lab, Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti's al-Muzhir, and al-Ashbah wa-l-Naza'ir.
Structure and Scope
The work is organized into three main divisions (jihat):
- The First Division: Gathers synonymous names (al-asma' al-mutaradifah) for various entities and concepts.
- The Second Division: Contains topical chapters (fusul) classifying specialized vocabulary.
- The Third Division: Encompasses rare and rhetorical phrasing, concluding with a rhymed literary composition (maqamah) constructed from intricate vocabulary, from which the book derives its title.
The lexical entries span a wide array of categories, including names for time (al-dahr), years (al-sanah) and their varying conditions, the sky (al-sama'), natural elements, and various objects, interspersed with proverbs and aphorisms.
Publication History
The book was printed in Istanbul (Astana) in 1311 AH / 1893 CE in a single volume of 248 pages. It was also reported to have been printed in Egypt in 1321 AH (1903–1904 CE). A modern edition was prepared and annotated by Ahmad Abd al-Tawwab Awad.
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