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 Arabber. Sometimes Offensive.,  a street peddler.

5. Archaic: Sometimes Offensive.,  street arab.

adjective

1. of or relating to Arabs.

2. Arabian.

3. Arabic.

Arab.

²

abbreviation

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 , 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

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

Analysts said the vote was more about the country’s fractious domestic politics than a serious attempt to undertake what would be seen by Washington, European capitals and the Arab world as an extremely provocative move.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Islamic State emerged from the chaos of Iraq after the American invasion in 2003 and took advantage of the instability unleashed in Syria by the Arab Spring to capture swaths of territory.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Morocco became the first Arab country to win the tournament with a 2-0 triumph over favourites Argentina in Sunday's final in Chilean capital Santiago.

Read more on Barron's

Arab mediators are alarmed by the plan which, they said, the U.S. and Israel have brought up in peace talks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Arab ‘stabilization force’ needs to move fast to disarm the terrorists.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal