alcoran: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicHistorical, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “alcoran” mean?
The sacred book of Islam.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The sacred book of Islam; the Koran.
The holy scripture of Muslims, believed by them to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad; also a term used historically in English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in modern usage, as the term is equally archaic in both. The modern standard spelling 'Qur'an' or 'Koran' is preferred globally.
Connotations
In both regions, using 'Alcoran' today might signal a deliberate historical or literary reference, or unfamiliarity with the modern standard term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage in both UK and US English. Appears primarily in historical texts, poetry, or academic historical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “alcoran” in a Sentence
N of the AlcoranV (study/quote) the AlcoranAdj (holy/sacred) AlcoranVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical, religious studies, or postcolonial contexts to reference the term as used in older European writings.
Everyday
Virtually never used; 'Quran' or 'Koran' are the standard terms.
Technical
May appear in philological or historical linguistics discussions about loanwords and transliteration.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alcoran”
- Misspelling as 'Alcaron' or 'Alkoran'.
- Using it in modern contexts where 'Quran' is appropriate, which may sound ignorant or offensive.
- Pronouncing the 'c' as /s/; it is typically /k/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Alcoran' is an archaic English spelling and transliteration. The modern standard terms are 'Qur'an' (reflecting Arabic pronunciation) or the anglicised 'Koran'.
You might encounter it in English literature from the 17th to early 19th centuries, in historical academic papers, or in discussions about the history of Western perceptions of Islam.
'Alcoran' is an older form that entered English via French and Spanish. 'Koran' is a later, more direct anglicisation that became standard in the 19th and 20th centuries. 'Qur'an' is now the most accurate representation of the Arabic.
It is unlikely to be intentionally offensive, but it may be perceived as outdated, ignorant, or inadvertently perpetuating a colonial-era perspective. It is best to use the contemporary standard 'Qur'an' or 'Koran'.
The sacred book of Islam.
Alcoran is usually historical, literary, archaic in register.
Alcoran: in British English it is pronounced /ˈalkəran/, /ˌalkəˈrɑːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈælkəˌræn/, /ˌælkəˈrɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ALl the CORrect ANswers' were said to be in the Alcoran – an old-fashioned name for the Quran.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOOK AS DIVINE REVELATION; TEXT AS LAW.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason 'Alcoran' is rarely used in modern English?