arabesque

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Arabesque decoration on the dome of the Mādar-e Shāh madrasah, built by Ḥusayn (credit: Ray Manley/Shostal Associates)

Style of decoration characterized by interlacing plant forms and abstract curvilinear motifs. It is typical of Islamic ornamentation from 1000. The word was first used in the 15th or 16th century when Europeans became interested in the Islamic arts, but the motif itself was derived from Hellenistic craftsmen in Asia Minor. Arabesques were also applied to the decoration of illuminated manuscripts, walls, furniture, metalwork, pottery, stonework, majolica, and tapestry from the Renaissance to the 19th century.

For more information on arabesque, visit Britannica.com.

Term for various types of melodic, contrapuntal or harmonic decoration; it was used by Schumann, Debussy and others for piano pieces of a decorative character.

1. Intricate overall pattern of geometric forms or stylized plants used in Muslim countries.
2. Overall decorative pattern of acanthus scrolls, swags, candelabrum shafts, animal or human forms, on panels or pilasters, in Roman and Renaissance architecture.
3. A species of ornament of infinite variety used for enriching flat surfaces or moldings, either painted, inlaid, or carved in low relief.

arabesque

arabesque (Fr., ornament). One of the basic positions of ballet. The dancer stands on one leg (either bent or straight), with the other extended behind with a straight knee and pointed foot. The arms are held in various positions that harmoniously extend the line of the arabesque. The body may be held vertically erect, or stretched forward parallel to the floor (in arabesque allongée) or inclined down towards the front foot, while still maintaining an extended line (in arabesque penchée). The position was known in the 18th century and was codified by Blasis.

• Types of Music and Composition - arabesque: short, highly ornamented composition, esp. for piano
• Ballet - arabesque: standing on one leg with raised leg extended in straight line to rear and foot pointed
• Classical Elements and Design - arabesque: abstract, curled, or plantlike decorative forms

Dansk (Danish)
n. - arabesk
adj. - arabesk

Nederlands (Dutch)
versiering van gevlochten bladeren etc., kronkeling (ook muziek/ dichtkunst), bepaalde houding in ballet

Français (French)
n. - arabesque
adj. - arabesque

Deutsch (German)
n. - Arabeske
adj. - arabesk

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αραβούργημα, (μουσ.) αραμπέσκ
adj. - εξαιρετικά περίτεχνος

Italiano (Italian)
arabesco

Português (Portuguese)
n. - arabesco (m)
adj. - cinzelado ou pintado em estilo arabesco

Русский (Russian)
арабеска

Español (Spanish)
n. - arabesco
adj. - de estilo arabesco

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - arabesk
adj. - sällsam, fantastisk

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
阿拉伯式花纹, 蔓藤花纹, 阿拉伯式图案的

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 阿拉伯式花紋, 蔓藤花紋
adj. - 阿拉伯式圖案的

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 아라비아풍 장식 무늬, 아라베스크(발레의 기본 자세의 하나)
adj. - 아라비아풍의, 색다른

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - アラビア装飾様式, 唐草模様, アラベスク
adj. - アラビア装飾様式の

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) أرابسك, وضع من اوضاع رقص (صفه) فن الهندسه والزخرفه العربيه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮שרטוט של עלים, עיטורים שבלוליים וכו' מפותלים זה בזה, ערבסקה‬
adj. - ‮מקושט בערבסקה‬