ARABESQUE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does arabesque mean? 

• ARABESQUE (noun)
  The noun ARABESQUE has 2 senses:

1. position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind and arms outstretched in a conventional pose

2. an ornament that interlaces simulated foliage in an intricate design

  Familiarity information: ARABESQUE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ARABESQUE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind and arms outstretched in a conventional pose

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("arabesque" is a kind of...):

ballet position (classical position of the body and especially the feet in ballet)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An ornament that interlaces simulated foliage in an intricate design

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("arabesque" is a kind of...):

decoration; ornament; ornamentation (something used to beautify)

 Context examples 

Gold and scarlet in arabesque designs gleamed upon the walls, with gilt dragons and monsters writhing along cornices and out of corners.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)