ETYM Latin cubitum, cubitus; elbow, ell, cubit, from (because the elbow serves for leaning upon) cubare to lie down, recline; cf. Greek kybiton elbow, kyptein to bend, stoop, kyphos bent, stooping, humpbacked. Related to Incumbent, Covey.
An ancient unit of length based on the length of the forearm.
Measure of length (length of forearm), equivalent of 18 in. (about 0.45 m.).
Earliest known unit of length, which originated between 2800 and 2300 BC. It is approximately 50.5 cm/20.6 in long, which is about the length of the human forearm measured from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow.