نَامُوسٌ

A secret: (Seer, M:) [plural نَوَامِيسُ.]

[Hence, apparently, rather than from the Greek νόμος as some have supposed,] Revelation. So in a trad respecting fines for bloodshed: in which it is said, قَضَيْتَ فِينَا بِالنَّامُوسِ [Thou hast pronounced judgment respecting us according to revelation]. (Mgh.) [Bat see a remark on this signification in what follows.]

[And hence,] The law of God. (KT.)

[And from the first,] An evasion, artifice, or expedient, by which a man conceals himself; explained by مَا يَنَّمِسُ بِهِ الرَّجُلُ مِنَ الإِحْتِيالِ; (S;) or مَا تُنُمِّسَ بِهِ مِنَ الإِحْتِيَالِ (K [but here, apparently, تُنُمّسَ is a mistake for تَنَّمِسُ:]) deceit; guile; circumvention. (A, TA.) You say, فُلَانٌ صَاحِبُ نَامُوسٍ, and نَوَامِيسَ, Such a one is a person of deceit, &c., and of deceits. &c. (A, TA.) And hence the phrase نَوَامِيسُ الحُكَمَاءِ [apparently meaning The artifices of the wise men]. (TA)

[Also, in post classical writings, A man's honour, or reputation which should be preserved inviolate; syn عِرْضٌ.]

[The remaining significations I regard as being derived from those above mentioned; supposing a prefixed noun to be understood; in some instances, صَاحِب, or ذُو; in others, مَكَان, or مَحَلّ]

A confidant; one who possesses, or is acquainted with, secrets, or private affairs; (S, M, A, Mgh, Msb, K;) of a king, (Mgh, TA,) or governor, or prince, (A,) or other man; (A'Obeyd, S, M, Msb, TA;) whom are acquaints with his private affairs, and distinguishes by revealing to him what he conceals from others: (A'Obeyd, S:) or one who possesses, or is acquainted with, secrets, or private affairs, of a good nature: (K, TA:) and جَاسُوسٌ signifies one who possesses, or is acquainted with, secrets, or private affairs of an evil nature. (TA.) [The author of the Mgh thinks that the second of the significations mentioned above, i. e. “ revelation, ” is derived from this; a prefixed noun [such as كِتَاب, perhaps,] being understood.] Hence, (Mgh,) النّامُوسُ, (A'Obeyd, S, M, Msb, K,) or النَّامُوسُ الأَكْبَرُ, (A, TA,) is applied to [The angel] Gabriel; (A'Obeyd, S, M, A, &c.) by the people of the scriptures; [meaning, the Christians, and perhaps, the Jews also;] (S, Mgh;) because God has distinguished him by communicating to him revelations and hidden things with which no other is acquainted. (TA.)

A repository (وِعَاء) of knowledge. (M.)

Skilful; intelligent. (K, * TA.)

One who enters into affairs with subtle artifice. (As, K. *)

A calumniator: synonym نمَّامٌ; (K;) as also ↓ نَمَّاسٌ. (A, K.)

A liar. (M.)

The burking-place, or covert. (قُتْرَة, q. v.,) of a hunter, (S, M, A, K,) in which he lies in wait for the game: (TA:) sometimes written with ء [نَأْمُوسٌ;] but for what reason [says ISd] I know not. (M.)

A snare: synonym شَرَكٌ: (K:) because it is concealed beneath the ground. (TA.)

The covert. or retreat. of a lion; as also ↓ نَامُوسَةٌ. (K.)

The chamber. or cell, of a monk. (TA, K, * voce تَأُمُورٌ)