muḍāriʿـَيَفْعَلُmaṣdarعَمَهٌ
Core sense — he was confused, unable to see his right course, going to and frogenerated
1.1he was confused or perplexed, unable to see his right course, and went to and fro—عَمَهَ
Muḍāriʿ of each عَمَهَ [ عَمْهًا in the CK is a mistake for عَمَهًا ] and عُمُوهٌ and عُمُوهَةٌ and عَمَهَانٌ, the first of these belonging to the former verb and the rest apparently to the latter.
Or: he went to and fro repeatedly in confusion, perplexity, or error, unable to see his right course, in contending, disputing, or litigating, or on a way or road; or he did not know the [right] argument, plea, or allegation.
تعامه means the same.
All of these are said when someone turns aside from what is right or true.
Or العَمَهُ is looking repeatedly, not knowing where to go; or it is in the mental perception, while العَمَى is in the sight, or is common to both.
[Accord. to the Msb, عَمِهَ is from عَمْهَآء as an adjective applied to land, explained below: but this needs consideration, as what follows shows.]
1.1.1figurative · مجازthe land was without signs of the way—عَمِهَتِ الأَرْضُ
Qur’ānic occurrences Form 1 2 shown of 7
2:15
ٱللَّهُ يَسْتَهْزِئُ بِهِمْ وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِى طُغْيَـٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَAllah will throw back their mockery on them, and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (To and fro).
15:72
لَعَمْرُكَ إِنَّهُمْ لَفِى سَكْرَتِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَVerily, by thy life (O Prophet), in their wild intoxication, they wander in distraction, to and fro.
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
, (S, Msb, K,) and عَمَهَ , aor. of each عَمَهَ , (K,) inf. n. عَمَهٌ (S, Msb, K, TA, [ عَمْهًا in the CK being a mistake for عَمَهًا ,]) and عُمُوهٌ and عُمُوهَةٌ and عَمَهَانٌ , (K, TA,) [the first of the former verb, and the rest, app., of the latter verb,] He was, or became, confounded, or perplexed, and unable to see his right course; and went repeatedly to and fro: (S:) or he went repeatedly to and fro- (Msb, K,) in confusion, or perplexity, (Msb,) or in error, and confusion, or perplexity, (K,) unable to see his right course, (Msb, K,) in contending, disputing, or litigating; or in a way, or road: (K:) or he knew not the [right] argument, or plea, or allegation: (Th, K, TA:) and تعامه signifies the same: (Z, K, TA:) all are said when one turns aside, or away, from that which is right, or true: (TA:) or العَمَهُ is the looking repeatedly, not knowing whither to go: (Lh, TA:) or it is in the mental perception; and العَمَى is in the sight, or is common to both of these. (TA.) [Accord. to the Msb, عَمِهَ is from عَمْهَآء as an epithet applied to land, expl. below: but this requires consideration, as appears from what here follows.] One says also, عَمِهَتِ الأَرْضُ The land was destitute of signs of the way: (K, TA:) a tropical phrase. (TA.)