1
Stage 1 of 4
'arab
Arabic · ancient
"Arab"
the people's own name for themselves
2
Stage 2 of 4
arabesco
Italian · 1500s
"Arab-style ornament"
coined to describe flowing Moorish and Islamic decorative patterns
3
Stage 3 of 4
arabesque
French · 1500s
"ornamental Moorish design"
adapted from Italian art criticism
4
Stage 4 of 4
arabesque
English · 1786
"flowing ornamental design or pose"
later extended to a musical passage (1853) and a ballet pose (1830)
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom