قوس

مِقْوَسٌ ذ A bow-case. (S, K.) -A2- A horse-course; a race-ground: (Ibn-'Abbád, K:) a place whence horses run (K) for a race; (TA;) i. e., (so in the K accord. to the TA,) a rope at which the horses are placed in a row (S, A, K) on the occasion of racing, (S, K,) in the place whence they run: (A:) or the extended rope from which the horses are started: (JK:) also called مقيص: the pl. is مَقَاوِسُ. (TA.) Hence the saying, عُرِضَ فُلَانٌ عَلَى المِقْوَسِ [ Such a one has been put to the starting-rope ]; meaning, (tropical:) such a one has been tried, or proved, by use, practice, or experience. (A, TA.) And فُلَانٌ عَلَى مِقْوَسٍ, i. e., عَلَى حِفَاظٍ [app. meaning, (assumed tropical:) Such a one is intent upon defending his honour or the like ]. (Lth, L.)