| Cubit | n. [ L. cubitum, cubitus; elbow, ell, cubit, fr. (because the elbow serves for leaning upon) cubare to lie down, recline; cf. Gr. ky`biton elbow, ky`ptein to bend, stoop, kyfo`s bent, stooping, humpbacked. Cf. Incumbent, Covey. ] 1. (Anat.) The forearm; the ulna, a bone of the arm extending from elbow to wrist. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A measure of length, being the distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] |
