بَاعٌ

A fathom; the space that is between [the extremities of] the two hands when they are extended to the right and left; (Msb;) the measure of the extension of the two arms (S, K, TA) with what is between them of the body; (TA;) as also ↓ بَوْعٌ and ↓ بُوعٌ; (K;) the last of the dialect of Hudheyl: (TA:) said by AHát to be of the masculine gender: (Msb:) plural أَبْوَاعٌ (Msb, K) and بِيعَانٌ. (Ham p. 475.)

[And hence,] (assumed tropical:) The body, including the limbs; [because a fathom in height;] as in the phrase رَجُلٌ طَوِيلُ البَاعِ (assumed tropical:) A man tall in the body; which has also another meaning, to be seen below: but you do not say, قَصِيرُ البَاعِ as meaning short in the body. (TA.)

[Also The arms; and particularly when extended to their full reach; as also the plural: and in like manner, the fore legs of a beast: see several examples in the first paragraph of this article]

[And hence, (tropical:) Reach; power; or ability.] You say, هُوَ قَصِيرُ البَاعِ (tropical:) He is lacking in power, or ability: a phrase which has also another meaning, to be seen below. (TA.) And قَصُرَ بَاعُهُ عَنْ ذٰلِكَ (tropical:) He was unable to attain, or to do, or effect, that: in this case, ↓ بوع is not used. (TA.)

And (tropical:) Reach, power, or ability, in the means, or causes, of attaining honour; or in generous, or honourable, qualities or actions: (TA:) (tropical:) eminence; nobility; honour; generosity: (Lth, S, K:) in which senses, ↓ بوع is not used. (Lth.) A poet says,

لَهُ فِى المَجْدِ سَابِقَةٌ وَ بَاعُ

[He has precedence and eminence in glory, honour, dignity, or nobility]. (Lth.) And رَجُلٌ طَوِيلُ البَاعِ (tropical:) A man of large generosity. (TA.) And قَصِيرُ البَاعِ (tropical:) Niggardly: a phrase which has also another meaning, mentioned above. (TA.)