Arab

¹ American  

[ar-uhb] / ˈær əb /

noun

1. a member of a Semitic people inhabiting Arabia and other countries of the Middle East.

2. a member of any Arabic-speaking people.

3. Arabian horse.

4. Also called Arabber.  Sometimes Offensive. a street peddler.

5. Archaic: Sometimes Offensive. street arab.

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adjective

1. of or relating to Arabs.

2. Arabian.

3. Arabic.

Arab. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Arabia.

2. Arabian.

3. Arabic.

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Arab British  

noun

1. 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

2. a lively intelligent breed of horse, mainly used for riding

3. (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.

Pronunciation

The pronunciation of Arab as , with an initial 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.

Other Word Forms

• anti-Arab adjective
• non-Arab noun
• pro-Arab adjective

Etymology

Origin of Arab

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

Example Sentences

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are using pipelines to reroute oil away from the strait, and the U.S. and other countries are releasing strategic petroleum reserves to try to cover the gap.

From Barron's

The United Arab Emirates said air defense systems responded to similar attacks, and Saudi Arabia said it destroyed Iranian drones targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province.

From Los Angeles Times

All are nonstarters, which explains the skepticism of Arab and Israeli officials.

From The Wall Street Journal

But both sides are still far apart, Arab officials and a U.S. official familiar with the discussion said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The United Arab Emirates has also taken steps to undermine Tehran.

From Barron's