Arab

[ ar-uhb ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a member of a Semitic people inhabiting Arabia and other countries of the Middle East.
a member of any Arabic-speaking people.
Arabian horse.
Also called ��·��·�� [ey, -rab-er]. Sometimes Offensive. a street peddler.
Archaic: Sometimes Offensive. street arab.

adjective

of or relating to Arabs.
Arabian ( def 1 ).
Arabic.

Arab.

abbreviation for

Arabia.
Arabian.
Arabic.

Arab

noun

a member of a Semitic people originally inhabiting Arabia, who spread throughout the Middle East, N Africa, and Spain during the seventh and eighth centuries ad
a lively intelligent breed of horse, mainly used for riding
modifier of or relating to the Arabs
the Arab nations

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Sensitive Note

The meanings “street peddler” and “vagabond” (in this second sense, also called a street arab ) are sometimes perceived as insulting because of their reference to the historically nomadic peoples of Arabia. The meaning “vagabond” has fallen into disuse. However, street vendors in Baltimore, Maryland, are called Arabs; in fact, it is a self-referential term—that is, one used by the vendors themselves.

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Pronunciation Note

The pronunciation of Arab as [ey, -rab], with an initial [ey] sound and secondary stress on the second syllable, is sometimes used facetiously or disparagingly. It is especially common in the street-peddler and street-arab senses and is usually considered offensive in any sense.

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Other Word Forms

��t��-��a�� adjective noun
�Դǲ�-��a�� noun adjective
��-��a�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Arab¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin Arab-, stem of Arabs, from Greek Á��-, stem of Á�� “Arabian, an Arabian, Arab,” from Arabic ʿ��, a self-designation

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Arab¹

C14: from Latin Arabs, from Greek Araps, from Arabic `Arab

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The US and a group of Arab States have proposed competing plans for the reconstruction of Gaza.

From

In March the UK lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian bodies previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of civilians, including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines and energy companies.

From

"But it's in a very crowded space - Russia, China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are all trying to increase their influence in Africa."

From

It is outlawed in Egypt and several Arab countries, whose governments see it as a threat.

From

Mr Boulos, who has served as Washington's senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs since December, also visited Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda in his trip.

From

araara Arab American

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