بهم

Form 2 · Form 4 · Form 5 · Form 7 · Form 10 · 19 entries · Qur'ānic frequency 3

Form 2بهّموا البَهْمِ5 senses · 2 main

maṣdarتَبْهِيمٌ

Core sense — they separated the lambs from their mothers; they stayed in the placegenerated

2.1

They separated the بهم [i.e. lambs, or kids, or both,] from their mothers and pastured them alone.

2.2they stayed in the place and did not leave it—بهّموا بِالمَكَانِ

Maṣdar as above.

2.2.1figurative · مجاز — inferredhe kept looking at a thing without being relieved by doing so—بهّم

Said of a man.

2.2.2figurative · مجاز — inferred

He was silent, and confounded, or perplexed, when asked about a thing.

2.2.3figurative · مجاز — inferred

He did not fight, or engage in conflict.

Show Lane's original text

, inf. n. تَبْهِيمٌ , They separated the بهم [i. e. lambs, or kids, or both,] from their mothers, (S, K,) and pastured them alone. (S.) بهّموا بِالمَكَانِ , inf. n. as above, They stayed, or remained, in the place; (K, TA;) did not quit it. (TA.) Also بهّم , said of a man, He continued looking at a thing without his being relieved by doing so. (JK.) He was silent, and confounded, or perplexed, when asked respecting a thing. (JK.) He did not fight, or engage in conflict. (JK.)

Form 4ابهم7 senses · 3 main

maṣdarإِبْهَامٌ

Core sense — he made a thing dubious, confused, or vague; he closed, or locked, a doorgenerated

4.1figurative · مجاز — inferred

It (a thing, or an affair) was, or became, dubious, confused, or vague, so that one did not know the way in which it should be done or carried out; also استبهم.

For this, grammarians often use انبهم, but that has not been heard in the [classical] language of the Arabs.

[Said to be] from بَهِيمٌ, which denotes a colour, whatever it may be, except the one termed شُهْبَة, in which there is no colour differing from the rest.

4.2it closes upon [the palm of] the hand, as a cover—تُبْهِمُ الكَفَّ

He closed, or locked, a door [so that one could not find the way to open it; ], and stopped it up.

[And hence,] said of the thumb.

4.2.1figurative · مجاز — inferred

[Hence also,] he made a thing, or an affair, to be dubious, confused, or vague, so that there was no way of knowing it, or so that one did not know the way in which it should be done or carried out.

[In the former sense, i.e. he made it dubious, confused, or vague,] said of speech or language, and of information, news, or a narration; the opposite of أَوْضَحَ. Same as لمْ يُبَيِّنْ.

4.2.2figurative · مجاز — inferred

He made, or held, a thing to be vague, or indefinite.

4.2.3figurative · مجاز — inferred

Said of a prohibited thing: he made it, or held it, to be not allowable in any manner or for any cause; or to be prohibited unconditionally. [See مُبْهَمٌ.]

4.2.4figurative · مجاز — inferredhe made a man turn away, or withdraw, from such a thing—عَنْ كَذَا

he made a man turn away, or withdraw, from the affair—عَنِ الأَمْرِ

4.3the land produced what is termed بُهْمَى, or produced much of it—ابهمت الأَرْضُ

Show Lane's original text

, (K,) inf. n. إِبْهَامٌ , (JK,) It (a thing, or an affair,) was, or became, dubious, confused, or vague, (JK, K, TA,) so that one knew not the way, or manner, in which it should be engaged in, done, executed, or performed; (JK, TA;) as also استبهم ; (JK, K, TA;) for which grammarians often use انبهم ; but this has not been heard in the [classical] language of the Arabs: (MF, TA:) [said to be] from بَهِيمٌ denoting a colour, whatever it be, except that which is termed شُهْبَة , in which is no colour differing therefrom. (Har p. 50.) He closed, or locked, a door; (S, Mgh, TA;) [or, so that one could not find the way to open it; (see مُبْهَمٌ ;)] and stopped it up. (TA.) [And hence,] one says of the thumb, تُبْهِمُ الكَفَّ , meaning It closes upon [the palm of] the hand, as a cover. (TA.) [Hence also,] He made a thing, or an affair, to be dubious, confused, or vague, (JK, TA, *) so that there was no way, or manner, of knowing it, (TA,) or so that one knew not the way, or manner, in which it should be engaged in, done, executed, or performed: (JK:) [in the former sense, or meaning he made it to be dubious, confused, or vague,] said of speech, or language, (K in art. غمض , &c.,) and of information, or news, or a narration; (Msb;) contr. of أَوْضَحَ ; (TA in art. غمض ;) i. q. لمْ يُبَيِّنْ . (Msb.) He made, or held, a thing to be vague, or indefinite. (Mgh.) And, said of a prohibited thing, He made it, or held it, to be not allowable in any manner, nor for any cause: (Az, TA:) or to be prohibited unconditionally. (Mgh.) [See مُبْهَمٌ .] He made a man to turn away, or withdraw, or retire, (JK, K,) عَنْ كَذَا from such a thing, (JK,) or عَنِ الأَمْرِ from the affair. (K.) ابهمت الأَرْضُ The land produced what is termed بُهْمَى : (JK, K:) or produced much thereof. (S.)

Form 5تَبَهَّمَ1 sense

Core sense — he became unable to speak, tongue-tiedgenerated

5.1

See form 10.

Show Lane's original text

see 10.

Form 7إِنْبَهَمَ1 sense

Core sense — it became dubious, confused, or vaguegenerated

7.1

See form 4.

Show Lane's original text

see 4.

Form 10إِسْتَبْهَمَ2 senses · 1 main

Core sense — it was as though closed against him; he became unable to speakgenerated

10.1

See form 4.

10.1.1figurative · مجاز — inferredthe affair was as though closed against him, so that he did not know how to go about it or carry it out—استبهم عَلَيْهِ الأَمْرُ

Same as أُرْتِجَ عَلَيْهِ.

speech was as though closed against him; he became impeded in his speech, unable to speak, or tongue-tied—استبهم عَلَيْهِ

Or استبهم عليه الكَلَامُ. Same as اِسْتَغْلَقَ; and تبهّم عليه كَلَامُهُ means the same, being the same as أُرْتِجَ, on the authority of Abu Zeyd.

the information, or narration, was dubious, confused, vague, or hard to understand or express—استبهم الخَبَرُ

Or it was not to be understood or expressed, as though it were closed [against the hearer or the speaker]. Same as اِسْتَغْلَقَ and اِسْتَعْجَمَ.

Show Lane's original text

see 4. You say, استبهم عَلَيْهِ الأَمْرُ The affair was as though it were closed against him, so that he knew not the way in which to engage in it, or execute it; syn. أُرْتِجَ عَلَيْهِ . (TA.) And استبهم عَلَيْهِ , (K,) or استبهم عليه الكَلَامُ , (S, TA,) Speech was as though it were closed against him; or he was, or became, impeded in his speech, unable to speak, or tongue-tied; (S, * K, TA;) syn. اِسْتَغْلَقَ ; (S;) and تبهّم عليه كَلَامُهُ [signifies the same]; syn. أُرْتِجَ ; (JK, S; *) on the authority of AZ. (S.) And استبهم الخَبَرُ The information, or narration, was dubious, confused, vague, or difficult to be understood or expressed; or was not to be understood or expressed; as though it were closed [against the hearer or speaker]; syn. اِسْتَغْلَقَ , and اِسْتَعْجَمَ . (Msb.)

Derived nouns 14

Nounبَهْمٌ2 senses · 1 main

Core sense — a lamb, or a kid; the young of sheep, goats, or cattlegenerated

1a lamb, applied to the male and to the female—بَهْمَةٌ

Plural of بَهْمَةٌ, as are also بَهَمٌ and بِهَامٌ. [Or rather, بَهْمٌ is a collective noun, بَهْمَةٌ is its ism waḥda, and بَهَمٌ is an ism jamʿ; and] بِهَامٌ is the plural of بَهْمٌ, and بِهَامَاتِ is a plural of a plural [i.e. plural of بِهَامٌ].

Or, according to a tradition in which it occurs, it is a name for the female.

But بِهَامٌ, which is applied to lambs when they are alone, as سِخَالٌ is to kids when they are alone, is also applied to lambs and kids together.

young lambs or goats—بَهْمٌ

a lamb or goat, male or female, after the stage when it is termed سَخْلَةٌ, which is when it is just brought forth—بَهْمَةٌ

So according to IF.

According to Abu Zeyd, or A'Obeyd. Its plural is ابهم [so in my copy of that work, as though meant for أَبْهُمٌ, but perhaps a mistranscription for البَهْمُ].

Or it is applied to a lamb or goat when just brought forth, that is, before it is termed سَخْلَةٌ; or to the young one — not, as in the K, the young ones — of the sheep, of the goat, and of an animal of the bovine kind, both wild and not wild, alike male and female, while small; or, as some say, when it has reached youthful vigour.

Lebeed applies بِهَامٌ to the young ones of [wild] animals of the bovine kind.

young kids—بَهْمٌ

According to Th.

1.1one of the Mansions of the Moon—سَعْدُ البِهَامِ

Or two stars which are not of the Mansions of the Moon. See art. سعد.

Show Lane's original text

is pl. of بَهْمَةٌ , (S, Msb, K,) as are also بَهَمٌ and بِهَامٌ , (K,) [or rather بَهْمٌ is a coll. gen. n., and بَهْمَةٌ is its n. un., and بَهَمٌ is a quasi-pl. n., and] بِهَامٌ is pl. of بَهْمٌ , (S, Msb,) and بِهَامَاتِ is a pl. pl. [i. e. pl. of بِهَامٌ ]: (K:) بَهْمَةٌ signifies A lamb, and is applied to the male and the female; (S, Msb;) or, accord. to a trad. in which it occurs, it is a name for the female; (IAth, TA;) but بِهَامٌ , which is applied to lambs when they are alone, as سِخَالٌ is to kids when they are alone, is also applied to lambs and kids together: (S, * Msb:) or, accord. to IF, بَهْمٌ signifies young lambs or goats: (Msb:) and accord. to AZ, (Msb,) or A'Obeyd, (TA,) بَهْمَةٌ is applied to a lamb or goat, whether male or female, after the period when it is termed سَخْلَةٌ , which is when it is just brought forth; (Msb, TA;) and its pl. is ابهم : (Msb: [so in my copy of that work, as though meant for أَبْهُمٌ ; but perhaps a mistranscription for البَهْمُ :]) or it is applied to a lamb or goat when just brought forth, i. e., before it is termed سَخْلَةٌ : (Mgh: [and this is agreeable with its application in a trad. cited by IAth:]) or to the young one, not, as in the K, young ones, (TA,) of the sheep, and of the goat, and of an animal of the bovine kind (K, TA) both wild and not wild, alike to the male and the female, while small; or, as some say, when it has attained to youthful vigour: (TA:) Lebeed applies بِهَامٌ to the young ones of [wild] animals of the bovine kind: (S, TA:) accord. to Th, بَهْمٌ signifies young kids. (TA.) سَعْدُ البِهَامِ One of the Mansions (K, TA) of the Moon: (TA:) or two stars which are not of the Mansions of the Moon. (S and L and K in art. سعد , q. v.)

Nounبَهَمٌ1 sense

Core sense — lambs, or kids; young sheep or goatsgenerated

See بَهْمٌ, in two places.

Show Lane's original text

: see بَهْمٌ , in two places.

Nounبَهِمٌ1 sense

Core sense — abounding with the plant called buhmā, said of landgenerated

1land abounding with what is termed بُهْمَى—أَرْضٌ بَهِمَةٌ

[An adjective of which only the feminine form is mentioned.]

بهمة is a possessive adjective.

Show Lane's original text

[ an epithet of which only the fem. form is mentioned. You say] أَرْضٌ بَهِمَةٌ Land abounding with what is termed بُهْمَى : (AHn, K:) the word بهمة is a possessive epithet. (TA.)

Nounبَهْمَةٌ1 sense

Core sense — a lamb, or a kidgenerated

See بَهْمٌ, in four places.

Show Lane's original text

: see بَهْمٌ , in four places.

Nounبُهْمَةٌ6 senses · 1 main

Core sense — a solid rock; a courageous man; a difficult affairgenerated

A rock, or great mass of stone or of hard stone, that is solid, not hollow.

1.1figurative · مجاز — inferreda man who will not be turned from a thing he wants to do—رَجُلٌ بُهْمَةٌ

And hence, according to some — or because his condition is such that one does not know how to prevail with him — a courageous man, or a horseman to whom one does not know the way to gain access, or from where to come at him, because of his great might, or valour.

So in the Nawádir. It is not applied as an adjective to a woman. Plural بُهَمٌ.

he is a courageous man, one of those to whom the approach is as though closed against his adversaries—هُوَ بُهْمَةٌ مِنَ البُهَمِ

on this sense According to IJ, it is a maṣdar used as an adjective, though it has no verb. [Hence,] it applies to one person and to a number of persons. [For] it also has the meaning that follows.

1.2figurative · مجاز — inferred

An army; or courageous men, or courageous men clad in armour, because one does not know the way in which to fight with them; or, as some say, a company of horsemen. Plural as above.

1.3figurative · مجاز — inferred[He fell into a difficult, or an embarrassing, case, which one did not know how to manage]—وَقَعَ فِى بُهْمَةٍ لَا يُتَّجَهُ لَهَا

A difficult affair or case, such that one cannot find the way to carry it out or manage it. Plural as above.

The plural is also explained as meaning dubious, confused, or vague affairs or cases.

1.4figurative · مجاز — inferred

Blackness.

1.5figurative · مجاز — inferredthe three nights in which the moon does not [visibly] rise—البُهَمُ

Show Lane's original text

A rock, or great mass of stone or of hard stone, (K, TA,) that is solid, not hollow. (TA.) And hence, accord. to some, (TA,) or because his condition is such that one knows not how to prevail with him, (Ham pp. 334 and 610,) A courageous man, (K, and Ham ubi suprà,) or a horseman, (AO, S,) to whom one knows not the way whence to gain access, or whence to come, (AO, S, K,) by reason of his great might, or valour: (AO, S:) or, as in the Nawádir, رَجُلٌ بُهْمَةٌ signifies a man who will not be turned from a thing that he desires to do: (TA:) it is not applied as an epithet to a woman: (IJ, TA:) pl. بُهَمٌ . (S, A.) You say, هُوَ بُهْمَةٌ مِنَ البُهَمِ , meaning He is a courageous man, of those to whom the approach is as though it were closed against his adversaries. (A, TA.) Accord. to IJ, it is an inf. n. used as an epithet, though having no verb. (TA.) [Hence,] it applies to one and to a number of persons. (Ham p. 494.) [For] it signifies also An army: (S, K:) or courageous men, or courageous men clad in armour; because one knows not the way in which to fight with them: or, as some say, a company of horsemen: (TA:) pl. as above. (K.) A difficult affair or case; (K, TA;) such that one cannot find the way to perform it, or manage it: pl. as above. (TA.) You say, وَقَعَ فِى بُهْمَةٍ لَا يُتَّجَهُ لَهَا [He fell into a difficult, or an embarrassing, case, which one knew not the way to manage]. (TA.) The pl. is also explained as meaning Dubious, confused, or vague, affairs or cases. (TA.) Blackness. (TA.) And البُهَمُ The three nights in which the moon does not [visibly] rise. (TA.)

Nounبُهْمَى1 sense

Core sense — a species of barley-grass, of which livestock are very fondgenerated

A word used both as a singular and as a plural; its alif [written ى] is a marker of the feminine gender, so it takes no tanwīn; or [it is written بُهْمًى with tanwīn, for it is a collective noun, and] its ism waḥda is بُهْمَاةٌ, whose alif, some say, is a letter of quasi-coordination.

But Mbr says that this is not known, and that the alif in a word of the measure فُعْلى is nothing but a marker of the feminine gender, and that the ism waḥda بهماة is irregular. (Commentary on the Alfeeyeh of Ibn-Málik, § التأنيث)

[A species of barley-grass; apparently hordeum murinum, or common wall-barley-grass;] a certain plant, well known.

Sheep and goats, or camels, are violently fond of it as long as it is green; but when it dries up its prickles bristle out and it repels them.

It is one of the herbs that are termed أَحْرَاز [apparently here meaning slender and sweet] both when fresh and when dry.

It comes up at first indistinguishable as to species, out of the earth, like corn; then it becomes like corn and puts out prickles like those [that make up the awn, or beard,] of the ear of corn, which, when they enter the noses of the sheep and goats and the camels, cause pain to their noses, until men pull them out from their mouths and their noses; and when it grows large and dries up, it is a pasture that is fed upon until the next year's rain falls on it, when its seed that has fallen from its ears germinates beneath it.

Show Lane's original text

, a word both sing. and pl., (Sb, S, K,) its alif [written ى ] being a denotative of the fem. gender, wherefore it is without tenween; (Sb, S;) or [it is written بُهْمًى , with tenween, for it is a coll. gen. n., and] its n. un. is بُهْمَاةٌ , (S, K, and so in the JK,) its alif, some say, being a letter of quasi-coordination; but Mbr says that this is not known, and that the alif in a word of the measure فُعْلى is nought but a denotative of the fem. gender; (S;) and the n. un. بهماة is anomalous; (El-'Ash- moonee's Expos. of the Alfeeyeh of Ibn-Málik, § التأنيث ;) [A species of barley-grass; app. hordeum murinum, or common wall-barley-grass;] a certain plant, (Lth, JK, S, K,) well known; (K;) the sheep and goats, (Lth, TA,) or the camels, (JK,) are vehemently fond of it as long as it is green; (Lth, JK, TA;) but when it dries up, its prickles bristle out, and it repugns; (Lth, TA;) it is of the herbs ( بُقُول ) that are termed أَحْرَاز [app. here meaning slender and sweet] when fresh and when dry, and comes forth at first undistinguishably as to species, from the earth, like as does corn; then it becomes like corn, and puts forth prickles like those [that compose the awn, or beard,] of the ear of corn, which, when they enter the noses of the sheep or goats and the camels, cause pain to their noses, until men pull them out from their mouths and their noses; and when it becomes large, and dries up, it is a pasture that is fed upon until the rain of the next year falls upon it, when its seed that has fallen from its ears germinates beneath it. (AHn, TA.)

Nounبَهِيمٌ8 senses · 2 main

Core sense — black; of one unmixed colour; perfect, complete in makegenerated

Black. Plural بُهُمٌ.

And [apparently used also as a noun, meaning] a black ewe in which there is no whiteness; plural as above and بُهْمٌ.

1.1[Not having a star, or blaze, on the forehead or face, nor of one, unmixed, colour, that is, neither white nor black]—لَا أَغَرُّ وَ لَا بَهِيمٌ

Applied to a horse, male or female: of one unmixed colour, with no colour in it differing from the rest. Plural بُهُمٌ.

Some such statement as “This is a horse” is understood before لا. This is a proverb applied to a dubious, confused, or vague affair or case.

1.2

A colour of one kind, with no colour in it differing from the rest, whatever colour it may be, except the one termed شُهْبَة.

Or a colour that is clear, pure, or unmixed, not resembling any other, whether black or any other colour, except, as Z says, the one termed شُهْبَة.

1.3

A night in which there is no light until the dawn.

1.4figurative · مجاز

A sound, or voice, in which there is no trilling, or quavering, or reiteration in the throat.

1.5mankind shall be gathered perfect, or complete, in make, without mutilation or defect—يُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ بُهْمًا

Perfect, or complete, in make; also مُبْهَمٌ, plural بُهْمٌ.

So in a phrase in a tradition about the day of resurrection.

Or the meaning here is sound, or healthy; or not having any of the diseases or harmful afflictions of the present state, such as blindness, elephantiasis, leprosy, blindness of one eye, lameness, and the like; or naked, with nothing on them to cover them; or having nothing with them of worldly goods or property.

1.6figurative · مجاز — inferred

El-Khattábee: unknown.

See also إِبْهَامٌ.

Show Lane's original text

Black: (K:) pl. بُهُمٌ . (TA.) And [app. used also as a subst., signifying] A black ewe (K, TA) in which is no whiteness: pl. as above and بُهْمٌ . (TA.) Applied to a horse, to the male and the female, (S, * Mgh, * K,) Of one, unmixed, colour; in which is no colour differing from the rest: (S, Mgh, K:) pl. بُهُمٌ . (S.) لَا أَغَرُّ وَ لَا بَهِيمٌ [Not having a star, or blaze, on the forehead or face, nor of one, unmixed, colour, or not white nor black, (some such proposition as “This is a horse” being understood before لا ,)] is a prov. applied to a dubious, confused, or vague, affair or case. (TA.) A colour of one kind, (JK,) in which is no colour differing from the rest, (JK, and Har p. 50,) whatever colour it be, except that which is termed شُهْبَة : (Har ubi suprà:) or a colour that is clear, pure, or unmixed, not resembling any other, (AA, K, * TA,) whether it be black or any other colour, (AA, TA,) except, as Z says, that which is termed شُهْبَة . (TA.) A night in which is no light (JK, TA) until the dawn. (TA.) A sound, or voice, in which is no trilling, or quavering, or reiteration in the throat or fauces. (JK, K, * TA. *) Perfect, or complete, in make; as also مُبْهَمٌ : pl. بُهْمٌ : so in the phrase in a trad. (respecting the day of resurrection, TA), يُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ بُهْمًا , i. e. Mankind shall be congregated perfect, or complete, in make, without mutilation, or defect: (JK:) or the meaning here is, sound, or healthy: (S:) or not having any of the diseases or noxious affections of the present state, as blindness, and elephantiasis, and leprosy, and blindness of one eye, and lameness, &c.: (A'Obeyd, K, * TA:) or naked; (JK, K;) not having upon them anything to conceal them: (JK:) or not having with them anything (S, TA) of worldly goods or commodities. (TA.) Unknown. (El-Khattábee, TA.) See also إِبْهَامٌ .

Nounبَهِيمَةٌ1 sense

Core sense — a beast, a brute; any quadruped, or animal that does not discriminategenerated

[A beast; a brute;] any quadruped, even one in the water, [that is,] of the land and of the sea; and any animal that does not discriminate. Plural بَهَائِمُ.

In one reading, “or” stands in place of “and”.

Qur’ānic occurrences بَهِيمَة 1 shown of 3

22:28

لِّيَشْهَدُوا۟ مَنَـٰفِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ۖ فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْبَآئِسَ ٱلْفَقِيرَ

"That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat ye thereof and feed the distressed ones in want.

Occurrences of this form in the Qur’ān, not Lane’s choice of verse. They show the word in use; they do not say which sense above applies. Where more occur than are shown, the shortest āyāt are chosen.

Show Lane's original text

[A beast; a brute;] any quadruped, (Akh, M, Msb, K,) even if in the water, (Akh, M, K,) [i. e.,] of the land and of the sea; (Msb;) and (so in the Msb, but in the K “or”) any animal that does not discriminate: (Zj, Msb, K:) pl. بَهَائِمُ . (S, Msb, K.)

Nounبَهِيمِى1 sense

Core sense — of, or relating to, beasts, or brutesgenerated

[Of, or relating to, beasts, or brutes.]

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[ Of, or relating to, beasts, or brutes.]

Nounبَهِيمِيَّةٌ1 sense

Core sense — the nature of beasts, or brutesgenerated

[The nature of beasts, or brutes.]

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[ The nature of beasts, or brutes.]

Nounأَبْهَمُ2 senses · 1 main

Core sense — lacking the faculty of speech, like the beastsgenerated

See مُبْهَمٌ, in two places.

1.1

Also the same as أَعْجَمُ [apparently meaning lacking the faculty of speech or articulation, like the beasts].

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: see مُبْهَمٌ , in two places. Also i. q. أَعْجَمُ [app. as meaning Destitute of the faculty of speech or articulation, like the beasts]. (K.)

Nounإِبْهَامٌ1 sense

Core sense — the thumb, and the great toegenerated

1[Shorter than the great toe of the (lizard called) ضبّ]—أَقْصَرُ مِنْ إِبْهَامِ الضَّبِّ

The thumb, and the great toe; the greatest إِصْبَع, the one next to the forefinger, having two joints, so called because it closes upon [the palm of] the hand, as a cover; the greatest of the أَصَابِع in the hand and in the foot.

Feminine in gender by common repute, and sometimes masculine.

بَهِيمٌ means the same, mentioned by Az and by others; but Az adds that one should not say بِهَامٌ.

The plural of ابهام is أَبَاهِيمُ, and أَبَاهِمُ, which is used by poetic licence for the former, and إِبْهَامَاتٌ.

[than the back toe of the (bird called) قطاة]—من ابهام القَطَاةِ

[than the back toe of the (bird called) حبارى]—من ابهام الحُبَارَى

on this sense These are proverbs of the Arabs.

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The thumb, and the great toe; (M, K;) the greatest إِصْبَع , (JK, T, S,) that is next to the forefinger, having two joints, so called because it closes upon [the palm of] the hand, as a cover; (T, TA;) the greatest of the أَصَابِع in the hand and in the foot: (M, K:) of the fem. gender, (S, Msb,) accord. to common repute; (Msb;) and sometimes masc.: (Lh, M, K:) and بَهِيمٌ signifies the same; mentioned by Az in the T, and by others; but Az adds that one should not say بِهَامٌ : (TA:) the pl. of ابهام is أَبَاهِيمُ (JK, S, M, Msb, K) and أَبَاهِمُ , (M, K,) which latter is used by poetic license for the former, (M,) and إِبْهَامَاتٌ . (Msb.) أَقْصَرُ مِنْ إِبْهَامِ الضَّبِّ [Shorter than the great toe of the (lizard called) ضبّ ], and من ابهام القَطَاةِ [than the back toe of the (bird called) قطاة ], and من ابهام الحُبَارَى [than the back toe of the (bird called) حبارى ], are proverbs of the Arabs. (Har p. 335.)

Nounمُبْهَمٌ8 senses · 1 main

Core sense — closed, or locked; made dubious, confused, or vague; undefinedgenerated

Applied to a door: closed, or locked, so that one cannot find the way to open it; and stopped up; or having a lock on it, with which it is fastened.

1.1

A wall in which there is no door.

1.2

A chest having no lock [by which it may be opened].

1.3figurative · مجاز — inferred

Same as مُصْمَتٌ [meaning solid, not hollow; in the CK أَصْمَتُ, which means the same]; also أَبْهَمُ, having no fissure in it.

Applied to a heart, that last word is said to mean impenetrable by admonition.

1.4figurative · مجاز — inferreddifficult things, or affairs, such that one cannot find the way to carry them out—مُبْهَمَاتٌ

the nouns of indication—الأَسْمَآءُ المُبْهَمَةُ

A thing, or an affair, made dubious, confused, or vague, [such that there is no way of knowing it; (see the verb;)] or such that one does not know the way in which it should be done or carried out.

Of speech or language, [dubious, confused, or vague,] such that there is no way of knowing it.

Applied to a road: unapparent, or hardly apparent.

Applied to the ordinance about making up the days on which one has broken a fast, [and to many other cases,] undefined — here meaning, as to whether the days may be interrupted or must be consecutive.

So termed by the grammarians; such as هٰذَا, هٰؤُلَآءِ, ذَاكَ, and أُولَائِكَ.

According to Az, الحُرُوفُ المُبْهَمَةُ means the particles which have no derivatives and whose roots are not known, such as الَّذِى, مَا, مَنْ, عَنْ, and the like.

1.5figurative · مجاز — inferred[absolutely prohibited to the man; as though she were closed against him, or inaccessible to him]—مُبْهَمَةٌ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ

Applied to a vow, and to [certain ordinances respecting] marriage, divorce, and emancipation: from which there is no getting out, or extricating oneself, as though they were closed doors with locks on them.

Applied to prohibited things: not allowable in any manner or for any cause, or prohibited unconditionally, like the prohibition of [marriage with] the mother, the sister, and the like.

Said of such a woman. [But in one source it seems to be مثبْهِمَةٌ, which does not agree with common usage.]

In the copies of the K, بُهْمٌ and بُهُمٌ are given as plurals of this word; but there seems to be an omission or a misplacement in the passage, for these are said to be plurals of بَهِيمٌ, as shown above.

1.6figurative · مجاز — inferred

In a state of swooning or insensibility, speechless, and without discrimination, as a result of a blow [and the like].

1.7