Arab

[ ar-uhb ]

/ ˈær əb /

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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 A·rab·ber

[ey-rab-er] /ˈeɪˌræb ər/ .Sometimes Offensive. a street peddler.

Archaic: Sometimes Offensive. street arab.

adjective

of or relating to Arabs.

Arabian (def. 1).

Arabic.

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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

usage note for Arab

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.

how to pronounce Arab

The pronunciation of Arab as [ey-rab], /ˈeɪˌræb/, with an initial

[ey] /eɪ/ 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 Arab

anti-Arab, adjective, nounnon-Arab, noun, adjectivepro-Arab, adjective

Other definitions for Arab (2 of 2)

Arab.

abbreviation

Arabia.

Arabian.

Arabic.

How to use Arab in a sentence

This initiative had the support of all 22 members of the Arab League, which in and of itself is remarkable.
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead|Dean Obeidallah|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
However, being of Arab heritage and Muslim, I'd really love to see an Arab or Muslim James Bond.
Rush Limbaugh’s Fear of a Black James Bond|Dean Obeidallah|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They saw how the Arab Spring spread and toppled leaders of state.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The town, known in Arabic as Ayn al-Arab, is so significant to ISIS that the group calls it Ayn al-Islam.
The Brothers Who Ambushed ISIS|Mohammed A. Salih|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

What Stewart admires are the “brave correspondents” who cover things like the Arab Spring.
Wanted: Less Terrible Political Coverage on TV|Matt Lewis|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Beneath its far-flung branches a syce was sitting in front of a finely-proportioned and unusually big Arab horse.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
The Arab pricked his ears, swished his long and arched tail viciously, and showed the whites of his eyes.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
As Nejdi, too, was showing signs of stiffness, Malcolm mounted one of the spare animals and led the Arab.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
So extensive is the cultivation of the tobacco plant, that even the Arab cultivates it in the burning desert.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
It is a favorite plant with the Arab, and his attention seems to be about equally divided between his tobacco and his camels.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for Arab

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 Arabsthe Arab nations

Word Origin for Arab

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012