CUBIT Meaning and
Definition
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A cubit is a unit of measurement that was widely used in ancient times for determining length, particularly for construction purposes. The term "cubit" derives from the Latin word "cubitus," meaning forearm, as it was initially measured based on the length of a person's forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
The length of a cubit varied among different civilizations and regions, but it usually ranged from around 18 to 22 inches or approximately 45 to 55 centimeters. It was a convenient measurement as it was roughly equivalent to the average length of a person's forearm.
Cubits were frequently used in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean civilizations, where they were employed for constructing buildings, determining land boundaries, and creating standardized measurement systems. They served as a reliable and easily accessible measurement tool during a time when standardized units were not widely established.
The cubit was often accompanied by smaller subdivisions called "fingers," where one cubit consisted of multiple fingers. These fingers were further divided into smaller units called "digits" or "paces," allowing for increased precision in measurement.
Although the usage of the cubit declined with the introduction of metric systems and more standardized units, it remains a historically significant measurement unit, especially for understanding ancient architecture and archaeological sites.
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The length of a man's arm from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger; an ancient measure of length from about 20 in.; in anat., the forearm.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CUBIT
Etymology of CUBIT
The word "cubit" has its roots in the Latin term "cubitus", which means "elbow" or "forearm". It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root word "kū-", meaning "bend" or "bow". This term was later adopted into Old English as "cubit" and referred to the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly equal to the length of the forearm.
Similar spelling words for CUBIT
- cuba,
- cube,
- curt,
- cupid,
- cupit,
- bit,
- quit,
- Cubed,
- cubic,
- cut,
- cub,
- cup tie,
- Cu Ft.
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