street arab

or street Ar·ab

[ street ar-uhb ]

noun

, Archaic: Often Offensive.

1. a person, especially a child, who lives on the streets; urchin.

street Arab

noun

1. literary.
   a homeless child, esp one who survives by begging and stealing; urchin

Sensitive Note

See Arab.

Word History and Origins

Origin of street arab¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

A street arab wins his way into the Royal Navy, and while in the Service has a series of interesting and exciting adventures.

From Project Gutenberg

No one can well imagine the difference wrought in the appearance of the street arab, or the Irish peasant boy, by a short residence on board one of these ships.

From Project Gutenberg

The first lad was at this moment the victor, and he plunged down the side street with a fleetness known only to the street arab.

From Project Gutenberg

The beggar reciting the Bible to fill his pocket is very well; but he does not come up to the preaching street arab.

From Project Gutenberg

She gave him half a sovereign, and he wished he had been a street arab to whom she could have said, "And keep the change."

From Project Gutenberg