cubeb

American  

[kyoo-beb] / ˈkyu bɛb /

noun

1. the spicy fruit or drupe of an East Indian climbing shrub, Piper cubeba, of the pepper family.

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cubeb British  

/ ˈkjuːbɛb /

noun

1. a SE Asian treelike piperaceous woody climbing plant, Piper cubeba, with brownish berries

2. the unripe spicy fruit of this plant, dried and used as a stimulant and diuretic and sometimes smoked in cigarettes

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Etymology

Origin of cubeb

1250–1300; < Medieval Latin cubēba < Arabic kubābah (classical Arabic kabābah ); replacing Middle English cucube, quibibe < Anglo-French, Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Make the jollof dry spice mix: In a medium bowl, combine the ginger, thyme, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and cubeb pepper until combined.

From Washington Post • Sep. 2, 2021

Tish was knitting quietly and planning to give the money back to the town in the shape of a library, and Aggie was holding a cubeb cigarette to her nose.

From Tish by Rinehart, Mary Roberts

Ordinarily, when afflicted by a catarrhal visitation, it is my habit to use for alleviation cubeb cigarettes.

From Fibble, D.D. by Sarg, Tony

The neighbors do not know they are cubeb, and, anyhow, that's a habit, mother.

From Tish by Rinehart, Mary Roberts

Cubeba officinalis.—A native of Java, which furnishes the cubeb fruits of commerce.

From Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture by Saunders, William

Related Words

• smoke