עֲרָפֶל m.n. (pl. עַרְפִלִּים) 1 cloud, thick cloud. MH 2 name of the lower sky. NH 3 mist, fog. NH 4 vagueness, unclarity. [cp. Aram. עַרְפִּילָא, Syr. עַרְפֶּלָּא (= a dark fog or mist, thick darkness). Heb. עֲרָפֶל etc. are prob. formed from an enlargement of base ערף ᴵᴵ. However, some scholars connect עֲרָפֶל, etc., with Arab. ghafara (= he covers).] Derivatives: ערפל, עַרְפִלּוּת, עַרְפִלִּי, עַרְפִלִּית.