أَزَلِىٌّ

[Eternal, with respect to past time; existing from eternity; or ancient without beginning; as is implied in the S and K &c.;] a thing, or being, which has not been preceded by non-existence: it is applied to God: and to [his] knowledge: that which exists must be one of three kinds only: أَزَلِىٌّ أَبَدِىٌّ [existing from eternity, and consequently existing to eternity]; and this is God [who is also called القَدِيمُ الأَزَلِىُّ the Ancient without beginning]: and لَا أَزَلِىٌّ وَ لَا أَبَدِىٌّ [not existing from eternity nor existing to eternity]; and such is the present world: and أَبَدِىٌّ غَيْرُ أَزَلِىّ [existing to eternity without existing from eternity]; and such is the world to come; the reverse of which [last] is impossible: (TA:) it is a rel. n. from أَزَلٌ: or, according to some, it is not [genuine] Arabic: (TA:) or it is originally يَزَلِىٌّ, a rel. n. from لَمْ يَزَلْ, (S, K,) a phrase applied to that which is قَدِيم; and is formed by contraction; (S;) then, the ى is changed into ا, as being easier of pronunciation; as in أَزَنِىٌّ, applied to a spear, in relation to ذُو يَزَن; (S, K,* Sgh, TA;) and as in أَثْرَبِىٌّ, applied to a blade, (S, Sgh, TA,) in relation to يَثْرِب: (TA:) so say some of the learned. (S.)