فَالٍ

[ act. particle n. of 1: feminine فَالِيَةٌ.] فَالِيَاتٌ and فَوَالٍ [are pls. of فَالِيَةٌ and] signify Women who search the head for lice. (T, TA.) See an example of the former plural in the verse cited in the first paragraph.

فَالِيَةُ الأَفَاعِى (in which the former word is a plural [in meaning], M, TA) signifies [lit. The lousers of the vipers; meaning,] according to the A, certain species of the kind [of beetles] called خَنَافِس [plural of خُنْفَسَاء], speckled, found at the holes of the serpents, which they louse: (TA:) or a certain خنفساء, speckled (M, K) with [the colour termed] صُحْمَة, which is found at the holes [of serpents &c.], and is the mistress of خَنَافِس; (M;) which is familiar with scorpions and serpents; so that when it comes forth from a hole [thereof], it makes known their existence [therein]: (K:) or certain small things like خنَافس, speckled; which are familiar with scorpions and serpents; so that when they are seen in the hole [thereof] it is known that behind them are scorpions and serpents: (T:) or certain insects (دَوَابُّ) that are found at the holes of the [lizards called] ضِبَاب [plural of ضَبُّ]; so that when they come forth, it is known that the ضَبّ is coming forth inevitably. (M.) Hence one says, اتتكم فَالِيَةُ الأَفَاعِى, (IAar, T, M, K, *) meaning (assumed tropical:) The beginning of evil to be looked for [has come to you], (IAar, T,) or the beginnings of evil [hare come to you]; (K;) which is a prov. (IAar, T.)

And [hence] اِبْنُ الفَوَالِى means The جَانّ; i. e. the serpent [so called]. (T in article بنى.)