arabesque
Interlacing decorative pattern
An arabesque is an ornate decorative design of intertwining flowing lines, typically featuring stylized leaves, flowers, and geometric patterns.
The style originated in Islamic art, where religious prohibitions discouraged figurative representation.
In ballet, an arabesque is a pose where the dancer stands on one leg with the other extended straight behind and arms outstretched: She held the arabesque for several counts.
The term extends to any elaborate, intricately patterned design or flourish.
Ballet's tiptoe technique
- tutuShort projecting dance skirt
- pliéBallet knee-bending movement
- adagioSlow musical tempo
- ballerinaClassical female dancer
pirouette · pas de deux · barre · jeté · attitude · en pointe · allegro · danseur
To grow vigorously
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- interlaceWeave elements together
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
rococo · baroque · adornment · decoration · acanthus · swirl · lacework · brocade
Islamic house of worship
- minaretMosque tower with balcony
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- tileworkDecorative ceramic surfaces
- stuccoDecorative wall plaster
calligraphy · tessellation · Alhambra · infinite · interlocking · symmetry · repetition · vegetal
pointe
Ballet's tiptoe technique
ballerina · pirouette · pas de deux · barre · jeté · attitude · en pointe · allegro · danseur · relevé
flourish
To grow vigorously
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- interlaceWeave elements together
embellishment · rococo · baroque · adornment · decoration · acanthus · swirl · lacework · brocade · cartouche
mosque
Islamic house of worship
- minaretMosque tower with balcony
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- tileworkDecorative ceramic surfaces
stucco · calligraphy · tessellation · Alhambra · infinite · interlocking · symmetry · repetition · vegetal · biomorphic
floor
Indoor walking surface
- beamStructural support member
- acrobaticsSkilled physical feats
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
scale · balance · leotard · apparatus · routine · mat · chalk · judges · handstand · arch
Debussy
French impressionist composer
- SchumannNineteenth-century German composer
- ornamentationDecorative additions to something
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
flourish · ornament · trill · passage · romantic · piano · classical · composition · rubato · lyrical
- danceballet, breaking, folk dances, b-boying, folk dance
- performing artsacting, dance, music, drama, theater
- Middle Easternbazaar, bazaars, souks, minarets, domes
- patternspattern, chevron, geometric pattern, stripes, plaid
- ArabiaSaudi Arabia, Mecca, Medina, Kaaba, Riyadh
- Arabic loanwordsalgebra, algorithm, alcohol, alchemy, alkali
arabesquegeometric pattern
angular design · rectilinear · straight lines · zigzag · chevron
arabesqueminimalism
Aesthetic of reduction
plainness · simplicity · austerity · bare · unadorned
arabesquecrouch
Low bent-knee stance
fetal position · closed position · plié · tucked · curled