How to revive what is dead: The neglected word in the Arabic language as a model

Abstract

This research addresses a serious issue in modern Arabic linguistic studies, namely the revival of neglected words in the Arabic language. This refers to words that were abandoned by the Arabs in their usage in the past, but which are documented in ancient dictionaries. To achieve the desired objective of this research, it was necessary to consult Al-Ayn Dictionary by Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi, as he was the first to address the issue of neglected words in his dictionary. We examined some of these neglected words and then established their usage by comparing them with their counterparts in other Arabic dictionaries referenced in this research. Despite the scarcity of research in this field, it remains an essential endeavor for deepening our understanding of our linguistic heritage in relation to the present and future of linguistic knowledge.