Arab
[ ar-uh b ]
/ ˈær əb /
noun
adjective
Origin of Arab
1625–35; back formation from Latin
Arabs (taken as plural) < Greek
Áraps Arabian, an Arabian or Arab
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 the Arabian peninsula. 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 for 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
an·ti-Ar·ab, adjective, noun non-Ar·ab, noun, adjective pro-Ar·ab, adjectiveDefinition for arab (2 of 2)
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 Arabs
the Arab nations
Word Origin for Arab
C14: from Latin
Arabs, from Greek
Araps, from Arabic
`Arab