زلف

مَزْلَفَةٌ ذ Any town (قَرْيَةٌ) that is between the desert and the cultivated land: pl. مَزَالِفُ: (S, * K:) the latter is syn. with بَرَاغِيلُ, signifying the towns (بِلَاد) that are between the cultivated land and the desert; (S;) or, between the desert and the بَحْر [i.e. sea or great river ]; such as El-Ambár and El-Kádiseeyeh. (M, TA.) ― -b2- [The pl.] مَزَالِفُ also signifies Places of ascent; or steps, or stairs, by which one ascends: (K:) because they bring one near to the place to which he ascends. (TA.) -A2- For the pl. مَزَالِفُ, see also زَلَفَةٌ.