Saracen

American  

[sar-uh-suhn] / ˈsær ə sən /

noun

1. History/Historical. a member of any of the nomadic tribes on the Syrian borders of the Roman Empire.

2. (in later use) an Arab.

3. a Muslim, especially in the period of the Crusades.

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adjective

1. Also Saracenic Saracenical. of or relating to the Saracens.

Saracen British  

/ ˈsærəsən, ˌsærəˈsɛnɪk /

noun

1. history a member of one of the nomadic Arabic tribes, esp of the Syrian desert, that harassed the borders of the Roman Empire in that region

2. 1. a Muslim, esp one who opposed the crusades

   2. (in later use) any Arab

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adjective

1. of or relating to Arabs of either of these periods, regions, or types

2. designating, characterizing, or relating to Muslim art or architecture

Other Word Forms

• Saracenic adjective
• Saracenism noun

Etymology

Origin of Saracen

before 900; Middle English, Old English < Medieval Latin Saracēnus < Late Greek Sarakēnós

Example Sentences

Can imperfect sidekicks and second-fiddlers like Camelot’s court jester and Sir Palomides, the Saracen knight, save the realm when Arthur reveals himself as all too mortal?

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2024

Earl's performances prompted defence coach Kevin Sinfield to claim earlier this week that the Saracen would be in contention for a World XV on current form.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2023

It was a celebration of ancient cultures: Assyrian, Egyptian, Roman and Saracen.

From Washington Post • Apr. 3, 2021

John L. Berrey, chairman of the Quapaw Nation and the Saracen Development Authority, said the Downstream Casino Resort is working on a reopening plan to be carried out at the appropriate time.

From Washington Times • Apr. 24, 2020

William said, “Of course we are. A giant monk, a Saracen oblate, a Jew, and a peasant girl. Aren’t all the king’s friends like that?”

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz