نَامُوسٌ
Root: نمس
Full Definition
2 [Hence, app., rather than from the Greek
3 [And hence,] The law of God.
4 [And from the first,] An evasion, artifice, or expedient, by which a man conceals himself; expl. by مَا يَنَّمِسُ بِهِ الرَّجُلُ مِنَ الإِحْتِيالِ; or مَا تُنُمِّسَ بِهِ مِنَ الإِحْتِيَالِ (K [but here, app., تُنُمّسَ is a mistake for تَنَّمِسُ:]) deceit; guile; circumvention. You say, فُلَانٌ صَاحِبُ نَامُوسٍ, and نَوَامِيسَ, Such a one is a person of deceit, &c., and of deceits. &c. And hence the phrase نَوَامِيسُ الحُكَمَآءِ [app. meaning The artifices of the wise men].
5 [Also, in post classical writings, A man's honour, or reputation which should be preserved inviolate; syn عِرْضٌ.]
6 [The remaining significations I regard as being derived from those above mentioned; supposing a prefixed noun to be understood; in some instances, صَاحِب, or ذُو; in others, مَكَان, or مَحَلّ]
7 A confidant; one who possesses, or is acquainted with, secrets, or private affairs; of a king, or governor, or prince, or other man; whom are acquaints with his private affairs, and distinguishes by revealing to him what he conceals from others: or one who possesses, or is acquainted with, secrets, or private affairs, of a good nature: and جَاسُوسٌ signifies one who possesses, or is acquainted with, secrets, or private affairs of an evil nature. [The author of the Mgh thinks that the second of the significations mentioned above, i. e. “ revelation, ” is derived from this; a prefixed noun [such as كِتَاب, perhaps,] being understood.] Hence, النّامُوسُ, or النَّامُوسُ الأَكْبَرُ, is applied to [The angel] Gabriel; by the people of the scriptures; [meaning, the Christians, and perhaps, the Jews also;] because God has distinguished him by communicating to him revelations and hidden things with which no other is acquainted.
8 A repository (وِعَآء) of knowledge.
9 Skilful; intelligent.
10 One who enters into affairs with subtle artifice.
11 A calumniator: syn. نمَّامٌ; as also نَمَّاسٌ .
12 A liar.
13 The burking-place, or covert. (قُتْرَة, q. v.,) of a hunter, in which he lies in wait for the game: sometimes written with ء [نَأْمُوسٌ;] but for what reason [says ISd] I know not.
14 A snare: syn. شَرَكٌ: because it is concealed beneath the ground.
15 The covert. or retreat. of a lion; as also نَامُوسَةٌ .
16 The chamber. or cell, of a monk. (TA, K, * voce تَأُمُورٌ)
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