1. elaborate decorative designs featuring intertwined flowing lines, often based on plant forms, commonly found in Islamic art
Usage: art and architecture
2. a ballet position in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other leg extended behind
Usage: ballet
3. elaborate musical compositions or passages with ornate, flowing melodies
Usage: music

Examples

• The mosque’s walls were decorated with intricate arabesques in gold and blue.
• Islamic arabesques often feature geometric patterns combined with stylized plant motifs.
• The ballerina held a perfect arabesque during the performance.
• She practiced her arabesques at the barre every morning.
• Debussy composed beautiful arabesques for piano.
• The musical arabesques flowed gracefully from one phrase to the next.
• Medieval manuscripts often contained arabesques in their margins.