طَحْمَةٌ

(S, K) and طُحْمَةٌ (K, and thus also in some copies of the S) and طِحْمَةٌ (K) The دُفْعَة [as meaning tide, or rush,] of a torrent, (S, K,) and so [as meaning tide] of a valley, (K,) and so [as meaning irruption, or invasion,] of night; (S, K;) and the greater, or main, part of a torrent, and of night: (S:) or the first دُفْعَة, and the greater, or main, part: or the impulse, or driving, of the greater, or main, part [of a torrent]: and according to Z, طحمةُ اللَّيْلِ is tropical, and means (tropical:) the greater, or main, part of the blackness of night. (TA.)

And (tropical:) A company, or congregated body, of men: (S, A, K, TA:) or, as in the M, a rush, or rushing body, of men, more in number than such as are termed قَادِيَة, which means the first that come to one, or come upon one. (TA.)

And طَحْمَةُ الفِتْنَةِ means (tropical:) The جَوْلَة [or wheeling about, or the defeat, and return to fight,] of men on the occasion of فتنة [i. e. conflict and faction, or the like]. (TA.)