arabism
|ar-ə-biz-əm|
/ˈærəbɪzəm/
connection to Arabic or Arab identity (linguistic influence; nationalist sentiment)
Etymology
'arabism' originates from English, formed by attaching the suffix '-ism' to 'Arab' (which ultimately comes from Arabic 'ʿarab'), where 'ʿarab' meant 'Arab; inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula' or 'desert people'.
'Arab' entered English via Latin and Old French (e.g. Latin 'Arabes', Old French 'Arabe'), ultimately from Arabic 'ʿarab'; the modern English noun 'arabism' developed by adding the productive suffix '-ism' to denote a quality, practice, or ideology related to Arabs or Arabic.
Initially, derived forms signified things 'relating to Arabs or the Arabic language' (such as Arabic-derived words); over time one extended sense came to denote political or cultural advocacy (Arab nationalism/pan-Arabism).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a word, phrase, or linguistic feature derived from Arabic or characteristic of the Arabic language (an Arabic loanword or construction).
The word 'algebra' is often cited as an arabism in many European languages.
Synonyms
Noun 2
devotion to Arab culture or advocacy of Arab political unity; especially support for Arab nationalism or pan-Arabism.
His arabism led him to support initiatives aimed at greater political cooperation among Arab states.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/30 20:08