فلى

[ فَالٍ ذ act. part. n. of 1: fem. فَالِيَةٌ.] فَالِيَاتٌ and فَوَالٍ [are pls. of فَالِيَةٌ and] signify Women who search the head for lice. (T, TA.) See an ex. of the former pl. in the verse cited in the first paragraph. ― -b2- فَالِيَةُ الأَفَاعِى (in which the former word is a pl. [in meaning], M, TA) signifies [lit. The lousers of the vipers; meaning,] accord. to the A, certain species of the kind [ of beetles ] called خَنَافِس [pl. of خُنْفَسَاآء], speckled, found at the holes of the serpents, which they louse: (TA:) or a certain خنفساآء, speckled (M, K) with [ the colour termed ] صُحْمَة, which is found at the holes [ of serpents &c. ], and is the mistress of خَنَافِس; (M;) which is familiar with scorpions and serpents; so that when it comes forth from a hole [ thereof ], it makes known their existence [ therein ]: (K:) or certain small things like خنَافس, speckled; which are familiar with scorpions and serpents; so that when they are seen in the hole [ thereof ] it is known that behind them are scorpions and serpents: (T:) or certain insects (دَوَابُّ) that are found at the holes of the [ lizards called ] ضِبَاب [pl. of ضَبُّ]; so that when they come forth, it is known that the ضَبّ is coming forth inevitably. (M.) Hence one says, اتتكم فَالِيَةُ الأَفَاعِى, (IAar, T, M, K, *) meaning (assumed tropical:) The beginning of evil to be looked for [ has come to you ], (IAar, T,) or the beginnings of evil [ hare come to you ]; (K;) which is a prov. (IAar, T.) ― -b3- And [hence] اِبْنُ الفَوَالِى means The جَانّ; i. e. the serpent [ so called ]. (T in art. بنى.)