Arabons

Arabons refers to a historical term used in some European languages, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, to denote people of Arab or, more broadly, North African descent. The term emerged during the medieval period and was often associated with the Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula, known as Moors. While initially it might have had a neutral descriptive function, its usage evolved over time and could carry connotations depending on the historical context and the speaker's perspective. It was sometimes used interchangeably with terms like "Moro" or "Saracen." The term itself is derived from "Arabia," reflecting an understanding of the geographical origins of some of the peoples encountered during the period of Islamic expansion into Europe. The precise definition and application of "Arabons" could vary regionally and across different historical periods, sometimes encompassing a wider range of people than strictly those of Arab ethnicity. The understanding and use of such ethnonyms are important for studying historical interactions and perceptions between different cultures and populations.