early 14c., from Old French Arabique (13c.), from Latin Arabicus "Arabic" (see Arab). Old English used Arabisc "Arabish." Originally in reference to gum arabic; noun meaning "Arabic language" is from late 14c.
Arabic numerals (actually Indian) first attested 1727; they were introduced in Europe by Gerbert of Aurillac (later Pope Sylvester II) after a visit to Islamic Spain in 967-970. A prominent man of science, he taught in the diocesan school at Reims, but the numbers made little headway against conservative opposition in the Church until after the Crusades. The earliest depiction of them in English, in "The Crafte of Nombrynge" (c. 1350) correctly identifies them as "teen figurys of Inde."
雙語例句
1. The clock is available with either Roman or Arabic numerals.
這款鐘有帶羅馬數字的，也有帶阿拉伯數字的。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Mombasa is a town with a beguiling Arabic flavour.
蒙巴薩是一座充滿迷人的阿拉伯風情的城市。
來自柯林斯例句
3. He spoke in Arabic, a short staccato burst.
他突然用阿拉伯語嘰里呱啦說了一串話。
來自柯林斯例句
4. He spoke abruptly, in barely comprehensible Arabic.
他突然開口了，說的卻是幾乎聽不懂的阿拉伯語。
來自柯林斯例句
5. I was asked to lecture on the Arabic literature yesterday.