Saracen

[ sar-uh-suh n ]

/ ˈsær ə sən /

History/Historical. a member of any of the nomadic tribes on the Syrian borders of the Roman Empire.

(in later use) an Arab.

a Muslim, especially in the period of the Crusades.

Also Sar·a·cen·ic

[sar-uh-sen-ik] /ˌsær əˈsɛn ɪk/, Sar·a·cen·i·cal. of or relating to the Saracens.

Origin of Saracen

before 900; Middle English, Old English < Medieval Latin Saracēnus < Late Greek Sarakēnós

Sar·a·cen·ism, noun

I consider the smaller masonry of the upper part to be of the time of the Crusades or Saracenic.

Jerusalem Explored, Volume I--Text |Ermete Pierotti
The court is surrounded by a cloister with Saracenic arches showing glimpses of the distant view.

Forty Thousand Miles Over Land and Water |Lady (Ethel Gwendoline [Moffatt]) Vincent
Each faade has a lofty Saracenic arch, in which is an entrance.

Across India |Oliver Optic
It is most elaborately decorated throughout with rich Gothic work, interwoven with sparkling filigree of Saracenic character.

Cathedrals of Spain |John A. (John Allyne) Gade

San Francisco church is very rich; its architecture is Saracenic.

Journeys and Experiences in Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile |Henry Stephens

Saracen

/ (ˈsærəsən) /

history a member of one of the nomadic Arabic tribes, esp of the Syrian desert, that harassed the borders of the Roman Empire in that region

of or relating to Arabs of either of these periods, regions, or types

designating, characterizing, or relating to Muslim art or architecture

Saracenic (ˌsærəˈsɛnɪk) or Saracenical, adjective

C13: from Old French Sarrazin, from Late Latin Saracēnus, from Late Greek Sarakēnos, perhaps from Arabic sharq sunrise, from shāraqa to rise