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