arabesque Definition
- 1an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decoration
- 2a ballet position in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other lifted and stretched out behind
Using arabesque: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "arabesque" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The walls were decorated with intricate arabesques.
Example
She performed a beautiful arabesque in the ballet.
Example
The vase was adorned with an arabesque pattern.
arabesque Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for arabesque
Phrases with arabesque
a decorative motif that features a scrolling vine with leaves and flowers, often used in Islamic art
Example
The mosque's walls were covered in arabesque scrolls.
a dance move that involves twisting the body while standing on one leg in an arabesque position
Example
The choreography included a difficult arabesque twist that required a lot of balance.
Example
The ballerina's arabesque line was praised by the critics.
Origins of arabesque
from French 'arabesque', from Italian 'arabesco', from Arab 'ʿarabīyah', meaning 'Arabic'
Summary: arabesque in Brief
'Arabesque' [ˌærəˈbɛsk] refers to an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decoration. It is also a ballet position in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other lifted and stretched out behind. Examples include 'The walls were decorated with intricate arabesques,' and 'She performed a beautiful arabesque in the ballet.' Phrases like 'arabesque scroll' and 'arabesque twist' denote specific motifs and dance moves, respectively.
