Responsible, answerable, amenable, surety, or guarantee. (S, Msb, K.) Hence, in the Qur'an, 12:72, وَأَنَا بِهِ زَعِيمٌ [And I am responsible for it]. (TA.)
2.
Also The chief, lord, master, or prince, or a people; (Msb, K;) or [in the CK “ and ”] their spokesman: (K:) their chief is thus called because he speaks for them; like as he is called قَيْلٌ and مِقْوَلٌ: (Ham p. 705:) plural زُعَمَاءُ. (K.)
3.
-A2- Also Described; synonym مَوْصُوفٌ. (Har p. 204.)