arab

Everyday

1. A person whose people come from the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East and North Africa, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia or Morocco. tree →
2. (adjective) To do with Arabs or the Arab world, like Arab culture. tree →
3. An Arab horse, a beautiful breed known for speed and strength. tree →

In the lessons

Used in geography and history lessons about the Middle East and North Africa, and in stories. It names a people and their culture, not a religion. Phrases: the Arab world, Arab countries, Arab culture, an Arab horse.

Examples

• Many Arab families live in our city. tree →
• We learned about the Arab world in geography. tree →
• Arab scholars long ago helped develop algebra. tree →
• My friend Layla's family is Arab and speaks Arabic at home. tree →
• The Arab horse is famous for its speed. tree →
• Arab countries stretch from Morocco to Oman. tree →
• Our class tasted food from different Arab countries. tree →
• She first drank herself, according to the Arab custom, and then filled it for her sisters. tree →

Note

Always written with a capital A: Arab. Related: Arabic (the language; also Arabic numerals 0–9), Arabian (Arabian Peninsula, Arabian Nights). Not all Arabs are Muslim, and most Muslims are not Arab. Use it respectfully as a name for a people.

In Jewish tradition

Used in geography and history lessons about the Middle East and North Africa, and in stories. It names a people and their culture, not a religion. Phrases: the Arab world, Arab countries, Arab culture, an Arab horse.

Examples

• The Hebrew grammarians under Arabic influence came to believe that tliose rules of ortho- graphy which the Arab grammarians invented for the language of the Koran hold good also for the language of the Old Testament. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Always written with a capital A: Arab. Related: Arabic (the language; also Arabic numerals 0–9), Arabian (Arabian Peninsula, Arabian Nights). Not all Arabs are Muslim, and most Muslims are not Arab. Use it respectfully as a name for a people.