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Webster 1913 Edition


Cubit

Cu′bit

(kū′bĭt)
,
Noun.
[L.
cubitum
,
cubitus
; elbow, ell, cubit, fr. (because the elbow serves for leaning upon)
cubare
to lie down, recline; cf. Gr.
κύβιτον
elbow,
κύπτειν
to bend, stoop,
κυφόσ
bent, stooping, humpbacked. Cf.
Incumbent
,
Covey
.]
1.
(Anat.)
The forearm; the ulna, a bone of the arm extending from elbow to wrist.
[Obs.]
2.
A measure of length, being the distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger.
☞ The cubit varies in length in different countries, the Roman cubit being 17.47 inches, the Greek 18.20, the Hebrew somewhat longer, and the English 18 inches.

Webster 1828 Edition


Cubit

CUBIT

,
Noun.
[L., the elbow; signifying a turn or corner; Gr.]
1.
In anatomy, the fore arm; the ulna, and bone of the arm from the elbow to the wrist.
2.
In mensuration, the length of a mans arm from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger. The cubit among the ancients was of a different length among different nations. Dr. Arbuthnot states the Roman cubit at seventeen inches and four tenths; the cubit of the scriptures at a little less than 22 inches; and the English cubit at 18 inches.

Definition 2024


cubit

cubit

See also: qubit and cúbit

English

Noun

cubit (plural cubits)

  1. A unit of linear measure, no longer in use, based on the length of the forearm. The exact length of the cubit has varied over time and by region between 38 and 59 cm.
  2. (anatomy) The ulna.

See also

  • ell - originally equal to cubit, but later standardized at 45 inches (114.3 cm) in England.

Related terms

Translations


Malay

Etymology

From Proto-Malayic *-bit, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-bit, from Proto-Austronesian *-bit.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Verb

cubit (Jawi spelling چوبيت, used in the form mencubit)

  1. to pinch (to squeeze a small amount of skin)