dearabize
|de-arab-ize|
/diˈærəbaɪz/
remove Arabic elements
Etymology
'dearabize' originates from English, specifically the combination of the prefix 'de-' + 'Arab' + the suffix '-ize', where 'de-' meant 'remove/reverse', 'Arab' referred to 'Arab', and '-ize' meant 'to make or become'.
'dearabize' was formed in modern English by productive morphological combination (prefix 'de-' from Latin, root 'Arab' ultimately from Arabic/Latin usage, and suffix '-ize' from Greek/Latin), becoming used in the 20th century in discussions of cultural and linguistic change.
Initially it carried the literal sense 'to remove Arabness or Arab features'; over time it has been used both for cultural/political actions (removing Arab influence) and for linguistic/textual actions (converting away from Arabic script or forms).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
(transitive) To remove Arabic characteristics, elements, or influence from someone or something; to reverse Arabization.
The new government announced plans to dearabize official signage in certain regions.
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Verb 2
(transitive) To convert or adapt text, names, or forms from Arabic script or Arabic linguistic forms into non‑Arabic forms (e.g., romanize or alter spelling to remove overtly Arabic features).
To reach a broader audience, the publisher chose to dearabize several names in the translation.
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Last updated: 2025/12/31 10:58