a. and sb. [a. OF. arabi, arrabi, Arabian, an Arab, Arab horse.]
A. adj. Arabian, Arabic. arch. and poet.
1502. Arnold, Chron., 158. Arabye language.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, Pref. Many obscure termes … some and fewe beynge Araby wordes.
B. sb.
† 1. A native of Arabia; an Arab. Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIII. xxii. (1495), 455. The Arabees dwelle there.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. ccxxxiii. 725. Great puyssaunce of men of warre, of turkes, arabyes, tartaryes.
1587. D. Fenner, Def. Ministers, F iiij. Why you call vs … scoffing Hammonites, conspiring Arabies.
† 2. An Arab horse. Obs.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 5. He mihte ridan … on riche stede and palefrai and mule and arabisȝ.
c. 1440. Morte Arth., 2288. Elfaydes, and Arrabys, and olifauntez noble.
3. [a. F. Arabie.] The country of Arabia.
1297. R. Glouc., 397. Hean kniȝtes heued of Arabye of smot.
1622. Massinger & Dekker, Virg. Mart., IV. iii. The Power I serve Laughs at your happy Araby.
1792. D. Lloyd, Voy. Life, IV. 77. Their spicy gales from fragrant Araby.
