عِلْمٌ
1.
is a verbal noun, (S, K, &c.,) and [as such] has no plural [in the classical language]. (Sb, TA voce فِكْرٌ.) [As a post-classical term, used as a simple subst., its plural is عُلُومٌ, signifying The sciences, or several species of knowledge.]
2.
Sometimes it is applied to Predominant opinion; [i. e. preponderant belief;] because it stands in stead of that which is عِلْم properly so termed. (Ham p. 632.)
3.
And sometimes it is used in the sense of عَمَلٌ [A doing, &c.], as mentioned by Az, on the authority of Ibn-'Oyeyneh, agreeably with an explanation of عَالِمٌ as signifying one “ who does according to his knowledge; ” and it has been explained as having this meaning in the Qur'an, 12:68 [where the primary meaning seems to be much more apposite]. (TA.)
4.
لَقِيتُهُ أَدْنَى عِلْمٍ means [I met him the first thing, like لقيته أَدْنَى
دَنِّىِ and أَدْنَى دَنًا; or] before everything [else]. (TA.)