سَفَهٌ
Root: سفه
Full Definition
سَفَهٌ
, as also
سَفَاهَةٌ and
سَفَاهٌ , [all mentioned as inf. ns. in the first paragraph of this art.,] primarily signifies خِفَّةٌ [in its proper sense of Lightness], and motion, commotion, or agitation.
2 And hence the first, like each of the others, signifies [generally Lightwittedness, or the like;] the contr. of حِلْمٌ; [i. e.] خِفَّةٌ [as meaning lightness or levity, inconstancy, unsteadiness, irresoluteness; or lightness or levity, &c., and hastiness; for, as is said in the TA in art. رجح, the contr. of حِلْمٌ is described by the terms خِفَّةٌ and عَجَلٌ, like as حِلْمٌ is described by the term ثِقَلٌ]; and slenderness, shallowness, or weakness, of judgment; qualities which deficiency of intellect, or understanding, necessarily involves: (Bd in ii. 12, in explanation of سَفَهٌ:) or خِفَّةُ حِلْمٍ [i. e. slightness of gravity or staidness or sedateness or calmness &c.]: or جَهْلٌ [i. e. ignorance, or silliness or foolishness]: all of which explanations are nearly alike: or سَفَهٌ is a deficiency in intellect or understanding: or a lightness, or levity, accidental to a man, arising from joy or anger, inducing him to act unreasonably and unlawfully.
2 And hence the first, like each of the others, signifies [generally Lightwittedness, or the like;] the contr. of حِلْمٌ; [i. e.] خِفَّةٌ [as meaning lightness or levity, inconstancy, unsteadiness, irresoluteness; or lightness or levity, &c., and hastiness; for, as is said in the TA in art. رجح, the contr. of حِلْمٌ is described by the terms خِفَّةٌ and عَجَلٌ, like as حِلْمٌ is described by the term ثِقَلٌ]; and slenderness, shallowness, or weakness, of judgment; qualities which deficiency of intellect, or understanding, necessarily involves: (Bd in ii. 12, in explanation of سَفَهٌ:) or خِفَّةُ حِلْمٍ [i. e. slightness of gravity or staidness or sedateness or calmness &c.]: or جَهْلٌ [i. e. ignorance, or silliness or foolishness]: all of which explanations are nearly alike: or سَفَهٌ is a deficiency in intellect or understanding: or a lightness, or levity, accidental to a man, arising from joy or anger, inducing him to act unreasonably and unlawfully.
Lane's Lexicon
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Hans Wehr
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Mufradat
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