Arabise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To make something conform to Arabic language, script, or cultural forms, as when rendering a text into Arabic writing
2. To adapt a language, text, or culture so that it takes on Arabic characteristics and conventions
3. To bring something into line with Arabic speech, writing, or customs through translation or cultural adaptation

Etymology: "Arabise" is formed from the adjective "Arab" and the verb-forming suffix "-ise", which is the familiar English ending that turns a noun or adjective into a verb meaning "to make into, or give the character of". So to arabise something is to make it Arabic in character, whether in language, customs or culture. The suffix has a long ancestry. It descends from an ancient Greek verb ending "-izein", which Greek used to form verbs such as "baptizein" (to immerse). Latin took this as "-izare", French adopted it as "-iser", and Middle English borrowed it as "-isen" before the spelling settled into the "-ise" we use today. Because English could attach this ending to almost any stem, it became a productive tool, and "arabise" is one of the many words built with it.

Synonyms: arabicize