Madd
/mæd/noun
In Arabic recitation, the lengthening of a vowel according to prescribed rules.
Did you know?Madd is governed by detailed tajwīd rules, with some vowel sounds held for measured counts depending on the surrounding letters and recitation tradition.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*m-d-d
“To stretch, extend, or lengthen”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
مَدّ (madd)
“Extension, stretching, or prolongation”
7th Century
Arabic
مَدّ
“Lengthening a vowel in Qur’anic recitation”
19th–20th Century
English
madd
“A technical term in English descriptions of Arabic phonetics and tajwīd”
Modern English
English
madd
“The prescribed prolongation of a vowel during Arabic recitation”