خُلْعٌ

[according to the S, and apparently according to the K, and verbal noun, (see خَلَعَ امْرَأَتَهُ,) or] a simple subst., signifying (tropical:) The act of divorcing a wife (Az, Mgh, Msb) for a ransom given by her, (Msb,) or for her property given by her as a ransom to release her from her husband, (Az, Mgh, TA,) or for a gift, or a compensation, from her; or from another: (K: see 1:) IAth says that it annuls the return to the wife unless by means of a new contract: according to EshSháfi'ee, there is a difference of opinion respecting it; whether it be an annulment of the marriage, or a divorcement: [if the latter, it is not irrevocable unless preceded by two divorcements:] sometimes it is called by the latter term. (TA.) [See also خُلْعَةٌ.]