علم

عِلْمٌ ذ is an inf. n., (S, K, &c.,) and [as such] has no pl. [in the classical language]. (Sb, TA voce فِكْرٌ.) [As a post-classical term, used as a simple subst., its pl. is عُلُومٌ, signifying The sciences, or several species of knowledge. ] ― -b2- Sometimes it is applied to Predominant opinion; [i. e. preponderant belief; ] because it stands in stead of that which is عِلْم properly so termed. (Ham p. 632.) ― -b3- And sometimes it is used in the sense of عَمَلٌ [ A doing, &c.], as mentioned by Az, on the authority of Ibn-'Oyeyneh, agreeably with an explanation of عَالِمٌ as signifying one “ who does according to his knowledge; ” and it has been expl. as having this meaning in the Kur xii. 68 [where the primary meaning seems to be much more apposite]. (TA.) ― -b4- لَقِيتُهُ أَدْنَى عِلْمٍ means [ I met him the first thing, like لقيته أَدْنَى دَنِّىِ and أَدْنَى دَنًا; or] before everything [ else ]. (TA.)