عَاثَ

1.
, aorist يَعِيثُ, verbal noun عَيْثٌ (S, O, K) and عُيُوثٌ and عَيَثَانٌ, (TA,) He acted corruptly; or made, or did, mischief; synonym أَفْسَدَ: (S, O, K:) or, according to Az, he hastened, or was hasty or quick, in so acting: (TA:) according to Er-Rághib, عَيْثٌ and عُثِىٌّ, or عِثِىٌّ, and عُثُوٌّ are nearly alike; but عَيْثٌ is mostly used in relation to that which is perceived by sense; and عثىّ and عثوّ, in relation to that which is perceived by the [mind or] judgment: some say that عثوّ is the “ acting corruptly in the utmost degree: ” and some, that it is the “ acting wrongfully, injuriously, or unjustly; ” and sometimes does not involve the acting corruptly: (MF, TA:) Lh says that عَثِىَ is of the dialect of El-Hijáz, and is the [more] approved form; and عاث is of the dialect of the BenooTemeem, who say, لَا تَعِيثُوا فِى الأَرْضِ [Act not ye corruptly, or do not ye mischief, in the earth]. (TA.) Hence one says, عاث الذِّيءْبُ فِى الغَنَمِ The wolf made, or did, mischief among the sheep or goats; synonym أَفْسَدَ. (S, A, O.) And عِيثِى جَعَارِ [Do mischief, O she-hyena]: a prov. used in declaring a thing to be vain, or false. (K in article جعر.) And عاث فِى مَالِهِ He dissipated his property; or squandered, and wasted, or ruined, it: and he expended it quickly. (TA.)
2.
عاث, aorist and inf. ns. as above, also signifies He took without gentleness. (L.)
3.
And عاث, verbal noun عَيْثٌ, He ventured upon an affair not caring what he fell upon. (AA.)

Perseus ID: n31166