حج

حُجَّةٌ حج حجه حجة A mode [ of argument or the like ] by which one overcomes in a litigation, dispute, or altercation; so called because recourse is had to it (لِأَنَّهَا تُحَجُّ, i. e. تُقْصَدُ): (T, TA:) that by which one rebuts, or refels, an adversary in a litigation, dispute, or altercation: an argument; a plea; an allegation: [it may be true or false: see Kur xlii. 15, and xlv. 24:] (TA:) a proof; an evidence; a testimony: (S, Msb, K:) [ a title; a voucher: often thus used in the present day:] also applied to a person; like ثَبَتٌ; (A and Mgh and TA in art. ثبت;) [as in the saying, مَنْ حِفِظَ حُجَّةٌ عَلَى مَنْ لَمْ يَحْفَظْ He who preserves in his mind a word, or an authority, &c., is an evidence against him who does not; occurring often in the larger lexicons, expressing the superior authority of hearsay, or usage, over analogy &c.; and in the saying,] أَنْتَ حُجَّةٌ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ [ Thou art an evidence against thyself ]; a phrase mentioned by Akh: (S in art. بصر:) [also, an excuse: ] pl. حُجَجٌ (A, Msb) and حِجَاجٌ. (TA.)