ar·a·besque
(ăr′ə-bĕsk′)n.
1. A ballet position executed while standing on one straight leg with one 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 complex arabesque of a camera movement" (Nigel Andrews).
adj.
In the fashion of or formed as an arabesque.
[French, from Italian arabesco, in Arabian fashion, from Arabo, an Arab, from Latin Arabus, from Arabs; see Arab.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
arabesque
(ˌærəˈbɛsk)n
1. (Ballet) ballet a classical position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind and both arms stretched out in one of several conventional poses
2. (Classical Music) music a piece or movement with a highly ornamented or decorated melody
3. (Art Terms) arts
a. a type of curvilinear decoration in painting, metalwork, etc, with intricate intertwining leaf, flower, animal, or geometrical designs
b. a design of flowing lines
adj
4. (Ballet) designating, of, or decorated in this style
5. (Art Terms) designating, of, or decorated in this style
6. (Classical Music) designating, of, or decorated in this style
[C18: from French, from Italian arabesco in the Arabic style]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ar•a•besque
(ˌær əˈbɛsk)n.
1. an ornamental style in which linear flowers, foliage, fruits, animals, and designs are represented in intricate patterns.
2. a pose in ballet in which the dancer stands on one leg with one arm extended in front and the other leg and arm extended behind.
3. a fanciful musical piece.
[1605–15; < French < Italian arabesco ornament in Islamic style, literally, Arabian]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
arabesque
1. A pose as though poised for flight, supported on one leg, the other extended backward and the arms disposed harmoniously, usually with the greatest reach.
2. An ornate musical passage.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  arabesque - position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind and arms outstretched in a conventional poseballet position - classical position of the body and especially the feet in ballet |
| 2. |  arabesque - an ornament that interlaces simulated foliage in an intricate design |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
arabesque
n → Arabeske f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995