bedouin
bedouin Lexical Profile
bedouin Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A member of any of the traditionally nomadic Arab tribes inhabiting the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Iraq, and North Africa.
"For centuries, the Bedouin navigated the vast desert expanses using their deep knowledge of seasonal pastures and oases."
A person who wanders from place to place without a fixed home; a nomad or rover.
"After retiring, he lived like a modern bedouin, traveling across the continent in a camper van."
• adjective
Relating to, characteristic of, or belonging to the Bedouin peoples or their traditional nomadic culture.
"The museum features an extensive collection of traditional Bedouin jewelry, woven textiles, and camel saddles."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via French 'Bédouin' from Arabic 'badawī' (desert dweller), derived from 'badw' (desert, open country), reflecting the traditional contrast in Arab society between nomadic pastoralists and settled town dwellers. Because the Arabic source form 'badawīyūn' is already plural, both 'Bedouin' and 'Bedouins' are standard plural forms in English.