cucurbit

English

Etymology

From French cucurbite, from Latin cucurbita.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kjuːˈkɜːbɪt/

Noun

cucurbit (plural cucurbits)

1. Any member of the Cucurbita genus of gourds.
2. (obsolete) A receptacle, originally gourd-shaped and used for liquids or chemicals; a bottle or other container.
   • 1885, Richard Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, volume 1:

     When Sulayman saw me, he took refuge with Allah and bade me embrace the True Faith and obey his behests; but I refused, so sending for this cucurbit he shut me up therein, and stopped it over with lead