Quranic root
قوس
q · w · s
The root centers on measuring or estimating one thing by reference to another; قَوْسٌ is associated with the bow and with measures such as the arm or cubit.
The measurement principle extends to comparison and قياس, while the bow's curved form motivates derived meanings for bending and for various bow-shaped objects and structures.
- Maqāyīs · row 3894
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 1
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
قَوْسٌ
qawsun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A bow, the weapon from which arrows are shot.
In the Quranic occurrence, the noun appears in the dual expression قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ, invoking the bow as the measure of proximity.
- Lane · entry 9155
- Mufradāt · row 1219
In قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ, a distance or measure equivalent to two bows; the expression is also explained as two cubits.
This is a fixed Quranic measurement construction in which قَوْسَيْنِ is the dual form of قَوْسٌ. The alternative cubit interpretation belongs specifically to the interpretation of this expression.
- Lane · entry 9155
- Mufradāt · row 1219
Selected Quran examples
Quran 53:9word 3
“(of) two bow-(lengths)”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 53:9قَوْسَيْنِ(of) two bow-(lengths)
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 22 Classical meanings
قَاسَ
To measure one thing by another comparable thing; to compare or assess it by reference to another.
Used both for physical measurement and for mental comparison; the form and its related measurement nouns have variant vowel patterns.
- Lane · entry 9148
قَوَّسَ
To make something bowed or bent.
A transitive causative use describing the production of a curved or bent shape.
- Lane · entry 9149
تَقَوَّسَ
To become bowed or bent; of a thing, a person, or the moon when near the change of phase.
When applied to a person, it may describe bending in the back; the personal use is figurative or descriptive of posture.
- Lane · entry 9151
تَقَوَّسَ
To put one's bow upon one's back.
A conventional construction with قَوْسَهُ, distinct from the intransitive sense of becoming bent.
- Lane · entry 9151
إِقْتَوَسَ
To follow the way of one's father and imitate him.
An attributed figurative use, expressed in the construction يَقْتَاسُ بِأَبِيهِ.
- Lane · entry 9152
قَوْسٌ
A cubit or unit of linear measure.
A metonymic measurement use explained by the fact that a thing is measured with the arm or bow; it is broader than the fixed Quranic expression.
- Lane · entry 9155
قِيسُ رُمْحٍ
The measure or length of a spear.
A measurement expression using the variant form قِيسُ.
- Lane · entry 9156
قَوْسٌ
Figurative bow idioms: being beyond another's power to compete with; being united against someone; and becoming the best arrow of a little bow, meaning rising from a low condition or returning to favored conduct.
These are conventional proverbial expressions rather than literal descriptions of a bow.
- Lane · entry 9155
قَوْسٌ
Sagittarius, the ninth sign of the zodiac.
A conventional astronomical or astrological designation.
- Lane · entry 9155
قَوْسُ قُزَحَ
The rainbow.
The two words form an inseparable expression.
- Lane · entry 9155
قَوْسٌ
A bow-shaped bodily part, specifically the bowed or bent portion of a man's back or the anterior ribs of a camel.
These are specialized anatomical uses motivated by the shape of a bow.
- Lane · entry 9155
قَوْسٌ
A bow-shaped remainder or gathered portion of dates in a storage receptacle.
The term may denote what remains in the receptacle, a quarter of it, or a gathered quantity of dates, according to the cited usages.
- Lane · entry 9155
قَوَّاسٌ
A maker, hewer, or fashioner of bows.
An occupational noun formed from the bow noun.
- Lane · entry 9157
أَقْوَسُ
Having a bowed or bent back.
An adjective describing bodily posture or shape.
- Lane · entry 9159
أَقْوَسُ
Of sand, elevated in the shape of a hoop or ring.
A specialized description of curved or ring-like elevation.
- Lane · entry 9159
مِقْوَسٌ
A case or container for a bow.
A concrete instrumental noun.
- Lane · entry 9160
مِقْوَسٌ
A horse-course or race-ground, especially the rope or starting line from which horses are released.
The term can denote the place of departure or the extended rope used to align the horses before a race.
- Lane · entry 9160
مِقْوَسٌ
In the expression عَلَى المِقْوَسِ, a setting in which a person is tried or proved through use, practice, or experience.
A figurative extension of the race-starting construction.
- Lane · entry 9160
مِقْوَسٌ
In عَلَى مِقْوَسٍ, being intent upon defending one's honor or a similar interest.
An idiomatic use distinct from the literal race-course meaning.
- Lane · entry 9160
مُتَقَوِّسٌ
Bow-shaped or curved, as an eyebrow or a gutter around a tent.
Applied to a body part or another object whose form is likened to a bow.
- Lane · entry 9162
مُتَقَوِّسٌ
A person who is bowed or bent.
A descriptive use of the participial form for bodily posture.
- Lane · entry 9162
مُتَقَوِّسٌ
Having one's bow with oneself.
A conventional construction with قَوْسَهُ, not a description of bodily curvature.
- Lane · entry 9162
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic form is the dual inflection قَوْسَيْنِ, while the public headword is the singular قَوْسٌ.
The two-bow and two-cubit renderings are interpretations of the fixed expression قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ; the independent Classical meaning “cubit” is listed separately.
Unassigned or ambiguous evidence
Maqayis reports a less-established association of قَوْسٌ and قَاسَ with precedence or surpassing; it is retained as a reported root development rather than asserted as a separate Quranic sense.