cucumber
nounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈkjuːˌkʌmbə//
- United Kingdom/[ˈkʰjʊu̯ˌkʰʌmbə]/
- United States//ˈkjuˌkʌmbɚ//
- //ˈkjuːˌkʊmbə//
- /[ˈkʰjʊu̯ˌkʰʊ̈mbə]/
A vine in the gourd family, Cucumis sativus.
noun
- 1
A vine in the gourd family, Cucumis sativus.
ASPARAGUS, cauliflowers, imperial Sileſia, royal and cabbage lettuces, burnet, purſlain, cucumbers, naſturtian flowers, peaſe and beans ſown in October, artichokes, ſcarlet ſtrawberries, and kidney beans.
- 2
The edible fruit of this plant, having a green rind and crisp white flesh.
[…]for it has been a common ſaying of phyſicians in England, that a cucumber ſhould be well ſliced, and dreſſed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing.
"Why, pepper and salt your reasons!" cried Curl, forgetting to look at the door for a moment: "your pamphlet has talent; but talent is like a cucumber, nothing without the dressing. You must be more personal."
Probably on account of its phallic formation, the cucumber is often assumed to have aphrodisiac qualities.
To the bowl, add cucumber, cabbage and carrot.
- 3
figurativeA person who is calm and self-possessed.
[object Object]
The guy's a real cucumber.
That Wolf is one cool cucumber.
"You're smart," says Irv, pointing at her and nodding his head. "A smart cucumber."
Etymology
From Middle English cucumer, cucumber, from Old French cocombre, ultimately from Latin cucumis, cucumerem (possibly through an Old Occitan intermediate). Probably of Pre-Italic substrate origin. First attested in the late 14c. Displaced native English earthapple (see which for more), which has since acquired other senses.
Forms
- plural
- cucumbers
cucumber · A vine in the gourd family, Cucumis sativus.
cuddle · An intimate physical embrace, typically while lying (or…cuddly · Suitable for cuddling; designed to be cuddled.cue · The name of the Latin script letter Q/q.