arabesque

== English == === Etymology === Borrowed from French arabesque, from Italian arabesco, from arabo (“Arab”). By surface analysis, Arab +‎ -esque. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˌæɹ.əˈbɛsk/ (Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA(key): /ˌɛɹ.əˈbɛsk/ === Noun === arabesque (plural arabesques) (art, architecture, also attributively) An elaborate design of intertwined floral figures or complex geometrical patterns, mainly used in Islamic art and architecture. (music) An ornate composition, especially for the piano. (ballet) A dance position in which the dancer stands on one leg, with the other raised backwards, and the arms outstretched. (by extension, attributively) Elaborate or ornate creations in general. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === arabesque (third-person singular simple present arabesques, present participle arabesquing, simple past and past participle arabesqued) (intransitive) To move in an arabesque motion. (transitive) To decorate with an arabesque pattern. === Further reading === arabesque on Wikipedia.Wikipedia arabesque (ballet position) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia arabesque (classical music) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Arabesque in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911) == French == === Etymology === Borrowed from Italian arabesco. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /a.ʁa.bɛsk/ === Noun === arabesque f (plural arabesques) arabesque ==== Descendants ==== → English: arabesque → Polish: arabeska === Adjective === arabesque (plural arabesques) (obsolete, relational) Arabic (of Arabic peoples) === Further reading === “arabesque”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012