فَقَارٌ

The vertebra of the back; (S, * Msb, K;) the bones of the spine, which are set in regular order, one upon another, from the part where is the كَاهِل to the عَجْب: (K, * TA:) [it is sometimes used as a singular, as in the S and O and K voce طَبَقٌ: but properly] the singular, (Msb, K,) or n. un., (S, TA,) is ↓ فَقَارَةٌ, (S, Msb, K,) for which one should not say فِقَارَةٌ, with kesr: (ISk, Msb:) and ↓ فِقْرَةٌ, of which the plural is فِقَرٌ and فِقْرَاتٌ and فِقَرَاتٌ and فِقِرَاتٌ, signifies the same as فَقَارَةٌ; (S, Msb, K:) as does also ↓ فَقْرَةٌ. (K.)

[Hence,] فَقَارُ الجَوْزَاءِ (assumed tropical:) The three very bright stars [d and e and z] disposed obliquely in the midst of the constellation الجوزاء [i. e. Orion]. (Har p. 456. [See article جوز.)

And [hence also,] ذُو الفَقَارِ (assumed tropical:) the name of A [celebrated] sword of the Prophet, (S, O, K,) and afterwards, of 'Alee: it had previously belonged to El-'As Ibn-Munebbih, who was slain at Bedr, (O, K,) by 'Alee, by whom his sword was given to the Apostle: (O:) according to Abu-l-'Abbás [i. e. Th]. it was thus named because there were in it small beautiful hollows [apparently meaning small scallops in the edge, such as some modern swords have, for the more easy cleaving of coats of mail]: it is also, according to some, called ذو الفِقَار; but this is said by El-Khattábee to be vulgar. (TA.)

It (i. e. ذُوالفَقَارِ) is also used, metaphorically, as meaning (tropical:) The spear. (TA.)