بِطَانَةٌ

The lining, or inner covering, of a garment, or piece of cloth [&c.]; opposite of ظِهَارَةٌ; (S, Msb, K;) as also بَاطِنَةٌ: (JK in article ظهر:) plural of the former بَطَايءنُ. (TA.)

(assumed tropical:) A secret (K, TA) that a man conceals. (TA.) One says, هُوَ ذُو بِطَانَةٍ بِفُلَانٍ, i. e. (assumed tropical:) He is one who possesses knowledge of the inward, or intrinsic, state or circumstances of the case, or affair, of such a one. (TA.)

(tropical:) A particular, or special, intimate, friend, or associate; (S, K, TA;) one who is particularly distinguished by entering into, and becoming acquainted with, the inward, or intrinsic, state or circumstances of one's case or affair; (TA;) an intimate and familiar friend or associate; (Zj, TA;) a confidential friend, who is consulted respecting one's circumstances: (TA:) it is from the same word in the sense first explained above, relating to a garment, or piece of cloth: (Mgh, Er-Rághib:) and is used in a plural sense, as meaning intimate and familiar friends or associates, to whom one is open, or unreserved, in conversation, and who know the inward state or circumstances [of one's case or affair]: (Zj, TA:) or one's family; and one's particular, or special, intimates, friends, or associates. (Mgh.) You say, هُوَ بِطَانَتِى (tropical:) [He is my particular, or special, intimate, &c.]: and هُمْ بِطَانَتِى and أَهْلُ بِطَانَتِى (tropical:) [They are my particular, or special, intimates, &c.]. (A, TA.) See also 4.

Coupled with عَلَاوَة, it signifies What is put beneath [the things that compose the main load of a camel], such as a water-skin and the like. (TA.)