arabesque

views updated

ar·a·besque / ˌarəˈbesk/ • n. 1. an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decoration. ∎  Mus. a passage or composition with fanciful ornamentation of the melody.2. Ballet a posture in which the body is supported on one leg, with the other leg extended horizontally backward.

More From encyclopedia.com