cucurbit

[ kyoo-kur-bit ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a gourd.
any plant of the gourd family.
Chemistry. the gourd-shaped portion of an alembic, a vessel formerly used in distilling.

cucurbit

/ kjuːˈkɜːbɪt /

noun

any creeping flowering plant of the mainly tropical and subtropical family Cucurbitaceae, which includes the pumpkin, cucumber, squashes, and gourds

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Derived Forms

cuˌcurbiˈtaceous, adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cucurbit¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cucurbite, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin cucurbita “gourd, cupping glass”; gourd, courgette

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cucurbit¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin cucurbita gourd, cup

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Example Sentences

The force of the steam had broken the instrument to such an extent that the cucurbit was pinned to the head of the still.

From Project Gutenberg

But the proportions are given, and here stands a glass cucurbit in which they should be mingled.

From Project Gutenberg

On the small scale, a very capacious, flat-bottomed retort or cucurbit should be employed.

From Project Gutenberg

Pour on them two ounces of water, and set the cucurbit into a sand-bath.

From Project Gutenberg

Matrass, mat′ras, n. a chemical vessel with a tapering neck, a cucurbit.

From Project Gutenberg

cucumber tree cucurbitaceous

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