I. ˈarəb also ˈer-; usual or frequent in sense 2, chiefly old-fash in other senses ˈāˌrab or ˈāˌraa(ə)b noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin Arabus, Arabs, from Greek Arab-, Araps, from Arabic 'Arab
1. capitalized
a. : a member of the Semitic people of the Arabian peninsula, originally of the Bedouin tribes in the north of the peninsula and east of Palestine : arabian II 1
b. : a member of any Arabic-speaking people
c. : a tent-dwelling nomadic Arab as distinguished from the oasis or town dweller
2. sometimes capitalized
a. : street arab
b. dialect : a street peddler or house-to-house peddler of fruits and vegetables
3. usually capitalized : a horse of the stock used by the natives of Arabia, adjacent regions of Asia, and parts of northern Africa ; specifically : a horse of a breed noted for its graceful build, speed, intelligence, and spirit and often used as sires to improve or modify other stocks — compare thoroughbred 1
4. also arab brown often capitalized A : a strong brown that is yellower, less strong, and slightly lighter than average russet and yellower and paler than average copper brown — called also rugby tan
II. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Arabs : arabian