arabesque

In ballet, a pose in which the dancer stands on one leg, straight or bent, with the other leg raised behind, fully extended. The arms are held in a harmonious position to give the longest possible line from fingertips to toes. It is one of the fundamental positions in ballet.

arabesque

In the visual arts and architectural design, a linear decoration based on plant forms. Arabesque motifs are complicated, intertwined, flowing designs first found in ancient Arabic art – hence the term. They are a feature of ancient Greek and Roman art, and are particularly common in Islamic art.

arabesque

In music, a piece characterized by florid or ornamental melody. Claude Debussy and Robert Schumann wrote famous arabesques.