cubit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an ancient unit of length based on the length of the forearm

WordNet

Cu"bit noun
Etymology
L. cubitum, cubitus; elbow, ell, cubit, fr. (because the elbow serves fo aning upon) cubare to lie down, recline; cf. Gr. elbow, to bend, stoop, bent, stooping, humbacked. Cf. Incumbent, Covey.
Definitions
  1. (Anat.) 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. ✍ 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.

Webster 1913