Abu Nuwas (ä'bOO nOOwäs') [key], c.750–c.810, Arab poet, b. Ahvaz, Persia. He spent most of his life in Baghdad. High in favor with the caliphs Harun ar-Rashid and Amin, he lived a courtier's life; his exquisite lyric poetry celebrated wine and the extravagance of this life.
