غَابَةٌ

1.
is originally [غَيَبَةٌ] of the measure فَعَلَةٌ, with fet-h to the ع. (Msb.) It signifies A low, or depressed, place, or a hollow in the ground, (El-Hawázinee, K, TA,) before which, or in the way to which, (دُونَهَا,) is an eminence. (El-Hawá- zinee, TA.)
2.
And (K) i. q. أَجَمَةٌ: (S, K, TA:) [i. e.] A bed of canes or reeds: (AHn, Msb, TA:) and [a thicket, wood, or forest; like أَجَمَةٌ;] a collection of trees, (AHn, ISd, TA,) densely disposed; so called because it conceals what is in it: (ISd, TA:) or a tall أَجَمَة, having high, or very high, extremities [apparently to its canes or reeds]: (TA:) plural غَابَاتٌ (Msb, TA) and [coll. gen. n.] غَابٌ. (S, Msb, TA.)
3.
And (assumed tropical:) A long spear (K, TA) that has extremities like those of the أَجَمَة [explained above]: (TA:) [but I think that this addition in the TA correctly applies to غَابَةٌ signifying a number of spears, like a bed of canes or reeds, or like a forest; agreeably with two of the explanations here following:] or a spear that quivers in the wind: (K, TA:) or (tropical:) numerous spears, like abundant and dense trees: (A:) or an assemblage of spears; apparently so called as being likened to a غابة meaning an أَجَمَة of dense trees: (ISd, TA:) plural غَابَات and [coll. gen. n.] غَابٌ. (TA.) One says, أَتَوْنَا فِى غَابَةٍ i. e. (tropical:) [They came to us] amid numerous spears, like abundant and dense trees: (A:) or غابة may be used in this case in the sense here following. (TA.)
4.
And A company, or congregated body, of men: (Aboo-Jábir ElAsadee, K, TA:) plural غَابَاتٌ and [coll. gen. n.] غَابٌ. (TA.)

Perseus ID: n32686