فَنَنٌ
1.
A branch of a tree: (S, M, Msb, K:) or such as is of just proportion in length or in breadth: (T:) said to be synonym with غُصْنٌ; but this latter signifies “ such as has been cut off ” i. q. قَضِيبٌ meaning مَقْضُوبٌ: (M:) plural أَفْنَانٌ; (T, S, M, Msb, K;) said by Sb to be its only plural; (M;) occurring in the Qur'an, 55:48; where some explain it as plural of فَنٌّ, and meaning “ sorts, ” or “ species ”; others, as plural of فَنَنٌ: (T, Bd:) and أَفَانِينُ is a plural plural, (T, S, K,) i. e. plural of أَفْنَانٌ. (T, S.)
2.
And as a branch shelters like as does darkness, a poet uses it metaphorically, saying,
(tropical:) [The shelter of the darkness aided him, or them, who fled]. (M.)أَغَاثَ شَرِيدَهُمْ فَنَنُ الظَّلَامِ
3.
And [in like manner also] the plural plural is used in a tradition describing the inmates of Paradise, as meaning (tropical:) Locks of hair; these being likened to branches: and El-Marrár says,
(tropical:) [Dost thou feel attachment of love to Umm-ElWeleed after that the locks of thy head have become like the hoary thaghám?]; meaning the locks of the hair of his head when he had become hoary. (T. [See ثَغَامٌ.])أَعَلَاقَةً أُمَّ الوَلِيدِ بَعْدَمَاأَفْنَانُ رَأْسِكَ كَالثَّغَامِ المُخْلِسِ