احتبى

Form: 8

Full Definition

احتبىVIII He drew together and confined his back and his shanks with his رِدَآء, or with a garment, or piece of cloth, or with some other thing, when sitting, to be like him who is leaning [his back against a wall]: he drew his legs against his belly with a garment, or piece of cloth, confining them therewith, together with his back, and binding it, or making it tight, upon them, so as to preserve him from falling, [when he sat,] like a wall: and signifies the same: or احتبى بِالثَّوْبِ he inwrapped himself with the garment: or he drew together and confined his back and his shanks with a turban or the like: for the Arabs not having walls in their deserts to lean against in their assembling, the man used to set up his knees in his sitting, and put against them a sword, or surround them [and his back] with a piece of cloth, or knit his hands, or arms, together upon them, and rest against them; this standing him in stead of leaning. The doing this in one garment is forbidden, in a trad., lest, by accident, what decency requires to be concealed should become exposed. You say also, احتبى بِيَدَيْهِ [He confined his legs against his belly with his hands, or arms, in sitting, to support himself by so doing]. [See also قُرْفُصَآءُ.] الاِحْتِبَآءُ with the sword is practised on the occasions of making a covenant for mutual protection, or war, or appointing a chief, and the like; because the sword may be wanted in these cases.

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Lane's Arabic-English Lexicon

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