arch. Forms: 4–5 alkaron, -oun, 6 alcharon, 6–7 alchoran(e, alcorane, alcaron, 7 alcheron, 7– alcoran 8 alkoran. [a. (immed. from Fr. alcoran) Arab. al-qorān, the recitation, reading, f. qarasa to recite, read.] The sacred book of Mohammedans; the Koran (which is now the usual form).

1

1366.  Maundev., xii. 139. The holy book Alkaron that God sente hem be his messager Machomete.

2

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Man of Lawes T., 199. The holy lawes of our Alkaroun [v.r. alkaron], Geven by Goddes messangere Makamete.

3

1532.  More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 1557, 340/1. As the Turkes doe, bidde men belieue in Machometes alchoran. Ibid., 651/1. Mahomettes alcharon.

4

1642.  Howell, For. Trav. (Arb.), 85. They so adore the Alcoran that they never put it under their girdles.

5

1651.  Calderwood, Hist. Kirk (1843), II. 297. The Turkes for the maintenance of their Alcaron.

6

1655.  Gouge, Comm. Hebr. iii. 7, 320. The Turks Alcheron, the Jews Cabala … are … to be detested.

7

1728.  Morgan, Algiers, II. iv. 293. The first chapter of the Al-Coran.

8

1777.  Hume, Ess. & Treat., II. 443. A sacred book, such as the Alcoran.

9

1796.  Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 586. Called the Koran, or Alkoran, by way of eminence, as we say the Bible.

10

  b.  fig.

11

a. 1659.  Cleveland, Obseq., 25.

        A Text on which we find no gloss at all
But in the Alcoran of Gold-smiths Hall!

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