cubit - Definitions from Dictionary.com

5 results for: cubit

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

cu·bit

Audio Help [kyoo-bit] Pronunciation Key

–noun

an ancient linear unit based on the length of the forearm, from elbow to the tip of the middle finger, usually from 17 to 21 in. (43 to 53 cm).

[Origin: 1325–75; ME, OE < L cubitum elbow, cubit; perh. akin to cubāre to lie down

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
cubit

To learn more about cubit visit Britannica.com

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

cu·bit Audio Help (kyōō'bĭt) Pronunciation Key
n. An ancient unit of linear measure, originally equal to the length of the forearm from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow, or about 17 to 22 inches (43 to 56 centimeters).

[Middle English cubite, from Latin cubitum, cubit, elbow.]

(Download Now or Buy the Book)

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cubit

c.1325, from L. cubitum "the elbow," ancient unit of measure based on the forearm from elbow to fingertip, usually from 18 to 22 inches. Such a measure, known by a word meaning "forearm" or the like, was known to many peoples (e.g. Gk. pekhys, Heb. ammah).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

cubit
noun
an ancient unit of length based on the length of the forearm

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Cubit

Cov"ey\ (k?v"?), n. [OF. cov?e, F. couv?e, fr. cover, F. couver, to sit or brood on, fr. L. cubare to lie down; cf. E. incubate. See Cubit, and cf. Cove to brood.]

1. A brood or hatch of birds; an old bird with her brood of young; hence, a small flock or number of birds together; -- said of game; as, a covey of partridges. --Darwin.

2. A company; a bevy; as, a covey of girls. --Addison.

Browse Nearby Entries: