سَفًا
1.
Lightness, thinness, or scantiness, in the hair of the forelock, (S, M, Mgh, K,) of the horse, in which it is discommended, (S, * Z, Mgh,) and of the mule and ass, in both of which it is commended: (Z, Mgh:) or shortness, and scantiness, of the forelock: according to Th, it is
سَفَاءٌ, with medd: which is metaphorically used by a poet as meaning scantiness in milk. (M.) [Accord. to the TK, the former is a verbal noun, of which the verb is
سَفِىَ, said of a horse, as meaning He was, or became, light, thin, or scanty, in the forelock.]
2.
And, according to IAar, A whiteness [or a tinge thereof] in the hair [of a horse]: particularly said by him in one place to be such as is termed أَدْهَم, and such as is أَشْقَر. (M, in article سفو.)
3.
Also, [but more properly written سَفًى, the last radical in this case being ىِ,] Dust, or earth; (S, M, K;) and so
سَافٍ: (TA:) or this is applied to earth, or dust, [as meaning pouring down,] from سَفَى التُّرَابُ [explained above]: (Ham p. 454:) the former signifies dust, or earth, though not raised and carried away, or dispersed, by the wind: or, according to the T, whatever is raised and carried away, or dispersed, by the wind: (TA:) according to IAar, dust, or earth, taken forth from a grave or a well: (M:) سَفَاةٌ is a more special term, (S,) the n. un., (M,) سَفَاةٌ مِنْ تُرَابٍ signifying a collection (كُبَّةٌ) of dust, or earth. (Ham p. 810.)
4.
Also Any kind of tree having prickles, or thorns: (K: [but this seems to have been erroneously taken from what here follows:]) the prickles [or awn or beard] of
بُهْمَى [or barley-grass], (S, M,) and of the ears of corn, [of wheat or barley, (TA in article خدش,)] and of anything having prickles: according to Th, the extremities of
بُهْمَى: n. un. سَفَاةٌ, as above. (M.)