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aba

US //ˌeɪˌbiˈeɪ// UK //ɐbˈæ// aba
  1. 1 garment (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    a loose, sleeveless piece of clothing worn by people in the Middle East.

    a traditional, loose-fitting sleeveless outer garment worn by Arabs, typically made of camel or goat hair.

    Example

    The traveler wore a heavy aba to protect himself from the desert wind.

    Example

    The merchant was draped in a finely woven silk aba, signaling his high status within the community.

    Usage

    The noun is countable when referring to the garment itself.

  2. 2 fabric (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    a thick, rough cloth made from animal hair, often used in the Middle East.

    a coarse, often striped, felted fabric woven from goat or camel hair, originating in the Middle East.

    Example

    The tent was made from thick aba to keep out the heat.

    Example

    Traditional weavers still produce aba using techniques passed down through generations of nomadic families.

    Usage

    Uncountable when referring to the material in general.

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  1. 3 fish (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a type of long, thin fish found in African rivers and lakes.

    a species of electric fish, Gymnarchus niloticus, native to various freshwater habitats in Africa.

    Example

    The aba is known for its ability to produce weak electric signals.

    Example

    Researchers studied the aba to understand how its specialized organs generate electricity in murky swamp waters.

  2. 4 initialism (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a short way of saying the name of a group, like the American Bar Association.

    an initialism representing various organizations, most notably the American Bar Association or American Basketball Association.

    Example

    He is a member of the ABA and attends their legal conferences every year.

    Example

    The ABA issued a formal statement regarding the new judicial appointments late yesterday afternoon.

    Usage

    Usually written in all capital letters.

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