Arab

¹

[ ar-uhb ]

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 A·rab·ber [ey, -rab-er]. Sometimes Offensive. a street peddler.
5. Archaic: Sometimes Offensive. street arab.

adjective

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

Arab.

²

abbreviation for

1. Arabia.
2. Arabian.
3. Arabic.

Arab

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

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 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.

Other Words From

• anti-Arab adjective noun
• non-Arab noun adjective
• pro-Arab adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arab¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arab¹

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

Example Sentences

This initiative had the support of all 22 members of the Arab League, which in and of itself is remarkable.

From The Daily Beast

However, being of Arab heritage and Muslim, I'd really love to see an Arab or Muslim James Bond.

From The Daily Beast

They saw how the Arab Spring spread and toppled leaders of state.

From The Daily Beast

The town, known in Arabic as Ayn al-Arab, is so significant to ISIS that the group calls it Ayn al-Islam.

From The Daily Beast

What Stewart admires are the “brave correspondents” who cover things like the Arab Spring.

From The Daily Beast

Beneath its far-flung branches a syce was sitting in front of a finely-proportioned and unusually big Arab horse.

From Project Gutenberg

The Arab pricked his ears, swished his long and arched tail viciously, and showed the whites of his eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

As Nejdi, too, was showing signs of stiffness, Malcolm mounted one of the spare animals and led the Arab.

From Project Gutenberg

So extensive is the cultivation of the tobacco plant, that even the Arab cultivates it in the burning desert.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a favorite plant with the Arab, and his attention seems to be about equally divided between his tobacco and his camels.

From Project Gutenberg