arabesque: Meaning and Definition of

ar•a•besque

Pronunciation: (ar"u-besk'), [key]
— n.
  1. a sinuous, spiraling, undulating, or serpentine line or linear motif.
  2. a pose in ballet in which the dancer stands on one leg with one arm extended in front and the other leg and arm extended behind.
  3. a short, fanciful musical piece, typically for piano.
  4. any ornament or ornamental object, as a rug or mosaic, in which flowers, foliage, fruits, vases, animals, and figures are represented in a fancifully combined pattern.
—adj.
  1. decorated with or characterized by arabesques: arabesque design.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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