arabesque

ar·a·besque  (r-bsk)

n.

1. A ballet position in which the dancer bends forward while standing on one straight leg with the arm extended forward and the other arm and leg extended backward.

2. A complex, ornate design of intertwined floral, foliate, and geometric figures.

3. Music An ornate, whimsical composition especially for piano.

4. An intricate or elaborate pattern or design: "the fluctuating shapes of a cloudscape, the complex arabesque of a camera movement, the blink of a character's eye" (Nigel Andrews).

adj.

In the fashion of or formed as an arabesque.

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[French, from Italian arabesco, in Arabian fashion, from Arabo, an Arab, from Latin Arabus, from Arabs; see Arab.]

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arabesque [ar-ab-besk]

Noun

1. a ballet position in which one leg is raised behind and the arms are extended

2. Arts an elaborate design of intertwined leaves, flowers, and scrolls

3. an ornate piece of music [Italian arabesco in the Arabic style]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	arabesque - position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind and arms outstretched in a conventional pose ballet position - classical position of the body and especially the feet in ballet
	2.	arabesque - an ornament that interlaces simulated foliage in an intricate design decoration, ornament, ornamentation - something used to beautify