زُلْفَة

zulofapN * i. q. qurobapN [i. e. Nearness, with respect to rank, degree, or station ]; (S, Mgh, O, Msb, K;) as also ↓ zulofaY , (S, Mgh, O, Msb,) and ↓ zalafN . (IDrd, O, K.) [It would seem that it means also Nearness with respect to place or situation: for SM immediately adds,] hence, in the Kur [lxvii. 27], falam~aA raA^awohu zulofapF , [as though meaning But when they shall see it in a state of nearness: but] Zj says that the meaning is, but when they shall see it (i. e. the punishment) near ( qariybFA ): and several authors say that zulofapN is sometimes used in the sense of qariybN , as is stated in the 'Ináyeh. (TA.) And Station, rank, grade, or degree; as also ↓ zulofaY , (S, O, K, TA,) and ↓ zalofN , (TS, K,) and ↓ zalafN : (K, TA:) pl. of the first zulafN : (S, * TA:) or (K) ↓ zulofaY is a quasi-inf. n.; (S, K;) and such it is in the saying in the Kur [xxxiv. 36], wamaA A^amowaAlukumo walaA A^awolaAdukumo biA@l~atiY tuqar~ibukumo EinodinaA zulofaY , as though meaning A@zodilaAfFA [i. e. And neither your riches nor your children are what will bring you near to us in advancement: but here it may be well rendered, in station ]: (S:) accord. to Ibn- 'Arafeh, zulofaY signifies the bringing very near: (TA:) the saying of Ibn-El-Tilimsánee that it is pl. of zulofapN is very strange, and unknown; the correct pl. of this last word being zulafN . (MF, TA.) ― -b2- Also A portion (S, K) of the first part (S) of the night, (S, K,) whether small or large: so accord. to Th: or, accord. to Akh, of the night absolutely: (TA:) pl. zulafN and zulafaAtN (S, K) and zulufaAtN and zulofaAtN : or zulafN signifies the hours, or periods, ( saAEaAt ,) of the night, commencing from the daytime, and the hours, or periods, of the daytime, commencing from the night: (K:) and its sing. is zulofapN . (TA.) wazulafFA mina All~ayoli , in the Kur [xi. 116], means And at sunset and nightfall (the magorib and the Ei$aA=' ): (Zj, TA:) some read ↓ zulufFA , with two dammehs; which may be a sing., like HulumN ; or a pl. of zulofapN , like as busurN is of busurapN , with damm to the s in each: [but this is not a parallel instance; for busurN is a coll. gen. n. of which busurapN is the n. un., and the latter is not of the same measure as zulofapN :] and some read ↓ zulofFA , which is a pl. [or rather coll. gen. n.] of zulofapN , like as dur~N is of dur~apN ; (K, TA;) or pl. of ↓ zaliyfN , like as qurobN is of qariybN , and gurobN of gariybN : (TA:) and some read ↓ zulofaY , in which the alif [written Y ] is a denotative of the fem. gender. (K, TA.) -A2- See also the next paragraph.

zalafapN * A full [ reservoir of water such as is called ] maSonaEap : (S, K:) pl. [or rather coll. gen. n.] ↓ zalafN : (S:) so, accord. to Sh, in the trad. mentioned voce zilofN : (TA:) or ↓ zalafN signifies full watering-troughs, (K,) as pl. [or coll. gen. n.] of zalafapN : (TA:) or a full watering-trough. (K.) Also A [ bowl such as is called ] SaHofap : (K;) and so ↓ zulofapN ; (Ibn-'Abbád, K;) of which the pl. is zulafN : (TA:) or a full SaHofap ; and its pl. [or coll. gen. n.] is ↓ zalafN . (Lth, TA.) Also A green [ vessel of the kind called ] A_ij~aAnap : (K:) so says AO: pl. [or coll. gen. n.] ↓ zalafN ; and ↓ mazaAlifu likewise signifies green A^ajaAjiyn [app. as an anomalous pl. of zalafapN or of zalafN , like as ma$aAbihu is of $abahN ]; both, also, mentioned on the authority of AO. (TA.) ― -b2- Also A mother-of-pearl-'shell, or an oyster-shell; syn. SadafapN : (K:) Kt says that Alz~alafap in the trad. mentioned above voce zilofN has been expl. as meaning the maHaArap , i. e. the Sadafap ; but he adds, I know not this explanation, unless a pool of water be called mHArp because the water returns ( yaHuwru ) to it and collects in it. (TA.) ― -b3- Also A smooth rock: (K:) so, too, said to mean in the same trad.: and some read Alzlqp . (TA.) And Rugged ground. (K.) And Swept ground. (K.) And An even part of a soft mountain. (K.) Pl. (K) [or rather coll. gen. n.] in all these senses (TA) ↓ zalafN . (K.) ― -b4- See also zilofN . ― -b5- Also A mirror: (O, K: [in the CK, AlmaroA^apu is put in the place of AlmiroA=pu :]) [like zalaqapN :] mentioned by IB on the authority of Aboo-'Amr Ez-Záhid, and by Sgh on that of Ks: and so, too, it is said to mean in the trad. mentioned above; the earth being likened thereto because of its evenness and cleanness: (TA:) or the face thereof; (K;) as is said by IAar. (TA.)