Lane's Arabic-English Lexicon

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بَاعٌ

Root: بوع

Full Definition

بَاعٌ A fathom; the space that is between [the extremities of] the two hands when they are extended to the right and left; the measure of the extension of the two arms with what is between them of the body; as also بَوْعٌ and ; the last of the dial. of Hudheyl: said by AHát to be of the masc. gender: pl. أَبْوَاعٌ and بِيعَانٌ.
2 [And hence,] The body, including the limbs; [because a fathom in height;] as in the phrase رَجُلٌ طَوِيلُ البَاعِ A man tall in the body; which has also another meaning, to be seen below: but you do not say, قَصِيرُ البَاعِ as meaning short in the body.
3 [Also The arms; and particularly when extended to their full reach; as also the pl.: and in like manner, the fore legs of a beast: see several examples in the first paragraph of this art.]
4 [And hence, Reach; power; or ability.] You say, هُوَ قَصِيرُ البَاعِ He is lacking in power, or ability: a phrase which has also another meaning, to be seen below. And قَصُرَ بَاعُهُ عَنْ ذٰلِكَ He was unable to attain, or to do, or effect, that: in this case, is not used.
5 And Reach, power, or ability, in the means, or causes, of attaining honour; or in generous, or honourable, qualities or actions: eminence; nobility; honour; generosity: in which senses, is not used. A poet says, لَهُ فِى المَجْدِ سَابِقَةٌ وَ بَاعُ [He has precedence and eminence in glory, honour, dignity, or nobility]. And رَجُلٌ طَوِيلُ البَاعِ A man of large generosity. And قَصِيرُ البَاعِ Niggardly: a phrase which has also another meaning, mentioned above.


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