arabesque

Where does the word "arabesque" come from? It comes from Arabic 'arab, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1786).

Arabesque’s story begins in Arabic: 'arab meant “Arab.” The people's own name for themselves. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Italian as arabesco. Coined to describe flowing Moorish and Islamic decorative patterns. From there it passed into French as arabesque by 1500s. Adapted from Italian art criticism. It reached English by 1786 as arabesque. Later extended to a musical passage (1853) and a ballet pose (1830). Today, arabesque means an intricate design of intertwined flowing lines, or a ballet position with one leg extended behind the body.

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