arabic
arabic Lexical Profile
arabic Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to the Arabic language, its script, or the literature and cultural traditions written in it.
"The manuscript was written in ornate Arabic calligraphy."
Relating to Arabia or the Arabs, especially with respect to their historical scientific and cultural contributions.
"Modern mathematics relies heavily on the decimal system of Arabic numerals."
• noun
A Central Semitic language originating in the Arabian Peninsula that serves as the liturgical language of Islam and the official or co-official language of over twenty countries across the Middle East and North Africa.
"She studied Modern Standard Arabic at the university before moving to Cairo."
Word Nuance & Usage
In modern usage, 'Arabic' refers specifically to the language, script, and closely associated intellectual or literary traditions (e.g., Arabic numerals, Arabic literature), whereas 'Arab' is used as an adjective for the people, countries, politics, and ethnic identity (e.g., Arab nations, Arab League), and 'Arabian' is used primarily for geographical or historical contexts relating to the Arabian Peninsula (e.g., Arabian Sea, Arabian horse).
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French arabique from Latin Arabicus, from Ancient Greek Arabikós ('of or relating to Arabia'), ultimately derived from Arabic 'arab ('Arabs').