CUBIT
cubit
(noun) an ancient unit of length based on the length of the forearm
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
cubit (plural cubits)
(historical units of measure) Various former units of length notionally based on the distance from a grown man's elbow to his fingertips, standardized in different places and times at values between 35 and 60 cm.
(anatomy) The ulna.
Usage notes
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
• (unit of length): ell (now properly a separate English unit); arshin, Russian cubit (Russian contexts); dira (modern Middle Eastern contexts)
• (bone): See ulna
Hyponyms
• royal cubit
Source: Wiktionary
Cu"bit (k"bt), n. Etym: [L. cubitum, cubitus; elbow, ell, cubit, fr.
(because the elbow serves focubare to lie down, recline; cf. Gr.
Incumbent, Covey.]
1. (Anat.)
Definition: 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.
Note: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition