cubit
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English cubite, from Latin cubitum (“elbow, cubit”). Doublet of cubitus.
Pronunciation edit
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkjuː.bɪt/
Audio (Southern England) (file)
- (US) enPR: kyo͞o'bĭt, IPA(key): /ˈkju.bɪt/
- Rhymes: -uːbɪt
- Homophone: qubit
Noun edit
cubit (plural cubits)
- The distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger used as an informal unit of length.
- 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 6:27:
- Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
- (historical) Any of various units of length approximating this distance, usually around 35–60 cm.
- (anatomy, archaic) Synonym of ulna, the bone of the human forearm.
Usage notes edit
In English, most commonly encountered in biblical Hebrew measures based on the shorter of the two Egyptian cubits, although the term is also used broadly for other units between the length of a foot and a yard. These may be clarified with a preceding adjective: Greek cubit, Roman cubit, etc.
Synonyms edit
- (unit of length): ell (now properly a separate unit)
Hyponyms edit
- arshin, Russian cubit
- codo, Spanish cubit
- covado, Portuguese cubit
- dira (modern Middle Eastern contexts)
- royal cubit (ancient Egypt)
Related terms edit
Translations edit
Any of various units of length approximating the forearm and hand
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Malay edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Proto-Malayic *-bit, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-bit, from Proto-Austronesian *-bit.
Pronunciation edit
- (Johor-Selangor) IPA(key): /t͡ʃubet/
- (Riau-Lingga) IPA(key): /t͡ʃubɪt/
- Rhymes: -ubet, -bet, -et
Verb edit
cubit (Jawi spelling چوبيت, used in the form mencubit)
- to pinch (to squeeze a small amount of skin)
Descendants edit
- → Macanese: chubí
Middle English edit
Noun edit
cubit
- Alternative form of cubite