و • س • ل

[He sought to get at, or obtain, the water by means of the bucket]. (M in art. دلو.) تَوَسَّلَ إِلَيْهِ بِكَذَا He sought to bring himself near to him, or to approach to him, to gain access to him, or to advance himself in his favour, by such a thing: (Msb, &c.:) so too ↓ وَسَّلَ; (S, K;) and ↓ وَسَلَ, aor. يَسِلُ. (Msb.)

A means of access to a thing; (IAth;) a means of becoming near to a thing: (IAth, Msb:) these are the primary significations: (IAth:) a means of becoming near to, or intimate with, or of ingratiating oneself with, another: (S:) honourable rank or station with a king: degree: affinity: (K:) a tie, or connexion: (TA:) it may be rendered a means of access, nearness, intimacy, ingratiating oneself, attachment, or connexion: and also, of attainment, or accomplishment.