Let's talk a bit about the verb aspect of the root system:
Being a Semitic language, Arabic has a derivation system, whereby from a single root (defined as a three-letter combination), you can derive a whole array of related meanings. So from the root 3-l-m علم we get the verbs 3alim عَلِم (to know), 3allam عَلَّم (to teach), اَعلَم a3lam (to inform), ta3allama (to learn), ista3lam اِستَعلَم (to inquire).
Furthermore, the way each of these verbs is related to the basic root 3-l-m علم also helps with vocabulary acquisition. So whereas 3alima (to know) is the simple form verb, 3allama عَلَّم (to teach) is a 2nd form verb (the middle root letter ل l is doubled), and we use the 2nd form for causation. So literally 3allama عَلَّم means to cause someone to know, and therefore to teach. Similarly, ta3allam تَغَلَّم (to learn) is the 5th form, which is a reflexive of the 2nd form. So ta3allam literally means to cause yourself to know, and therefore to learn. And again ista3lam اِستَعلَم (to inquire) is the 10th form, which is used for requests. So ista3lama literally means to request to know, and therefore to inquire.
Arabic has 10 verb forms. You just take the 3 root letters (consonants) and put them in the pattern of the desired verb form, that is the jest of it at least. Each verb form carries an intrinsic meaning in it.
For example, Form III often has the meaning of carrying out an action with someone else.
Example
| meaning | 3rd Form | meaning | Basic Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| to correspond with someone | كاتَب | to write | كَتَب |
To get form III you just add a long vowel 'alif ا after the first root letter and a fatHa over the second.
Another example of Form II
| meaning | Form II | meaning | Basic Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| to remind (make someone remember) | ذَكَّر | to remember, recall | ذّكّر |
We get form II by doubling the second root letter, indicated by the ّ diacritic.
Again here is what @prolepylene said about the Arabic root system:
It’s pretty great. At first I wasn’t sure how it was substantially different from the Latin root system, but comparatively to English the Arabic root system is everywhere throughout the language. As you learn the forms and patterns you can break down basically all verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs to a base form and a pattern that you can use to infer meaning.
Thank you for indulging me in another thought experiment. I always appreciate your thorough responses.
I don't know. It seems kind of like chemistry: not all substitutions are possible; one substitution can prevent others—the steric hindrance of Arabic verb forms.
And isn't alchemy a loanword from Arabic?
I enjoy your questions
Now we cooking!
Yes, alchemy sure is a loanword from Arabic, you can tell by the al- part which is the definite article in Arabic.