cube

[ kyoob ]

/ kyub /

noun

a solid bounded by six equal squares, the angle between any two adjacent faces being a right angle.

an object, either solid or hollow, having this form or a form approximating it: a cube of cheese; plastic storage cubes.

sugar cube.

flashcube.

Mathematics. the third power of a quantity, expressed as a3 = a·a·a.

Informal. cubic inch, especially as a measure of the displacement of an automotive engine: a new sports car with 350 cubes.

Slang. one of a pair of dice; die.

Slang. a person who is unaware of or unfamiliar with current ideas, opinions, trends, etc.; square.

verb (used with object), cubed, cub·ing.

to make into a cube or cubes.

to cut into cubes.

Mathematics. to raise to the third power.

to measure the cubic contents of.

to tenderize (a thin cut or slice of meat) by scoring the fibers in a pattern of squares.

Origin of cube

1350–1400; Middle English cubus < Latin < Greek kýbos cube, die

Related formscub·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for cuber (1 of 2)

cube

/ (kjuːb) /

noun

a solid having six plane square faces in which the angle between two adjacent sides is a right angle

the product of three equal factors: the cube of 2 is 2 × 2 × 2 (usually written 2³)

something in the form of a cubea bath cube

verb

to raise (a number or quantity) to the third power

(tr) to measure the cubic contents of

(tr) to make, shape, or cut (something, esp food) into cubes

(tr) US and Canadian to tenderize (meat) by scoring into squares or by pounding with a device which has a surface of metal cubes

Derived Formscuber, noun

Word Origin for cube

C16: from Latin cubus die, cube, from Greek kubos

British Dictionary definitions for cuber (2 of 2)

cube

/ (ˈkjuːbeɪ) /

noun

any of various tropical American plants, esp any of the leguminous genus Lonchocarpus, the roots of which yield rotenone

an extract from the roots of these plants: a fish poison and insecticide

Word Origin for cube

American Spanish cubé, of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cuber (1 of 2)

cube

1550s, from Middle French cube (13c.) and directly from Latin cubus, from Greek kybos "a cube, a six-sided die, vertebra," perhaps from PIE root *keu(b)- "to bend, turn." Mathematical sense is from 1550s in English (it also was in the ancient Greek word: the Greeks threw with three dice; the highest possible roll was three sixes).

Word Origin and History for cuber (1 of 2)

cube

1580s in the mathematical sense; 1947 with meaning "cut in cubes," from cube (n.). The Greek verbal derivatives from the noun all referred to dice-throwing and gambling. Related: Cubed; cubing.

Science definitions for cuber

cube

[ kyōōb ]

Verb

To multiply a number or a quantity by itself three times; raise to the third power. For example, five cubed is 5 X 5 X 5.

Noun

The product that results when a number or quantity is cubed. For example, the cube of 5 is 125.

A solid having six equal square faces or sides.

cube

noun

verb (used with object), cubed, cub·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of cube

British Dictionary definitions for cuber (1 of 2)

cube

noun

verb

Word Origin for cube

British Dictionary definitions for cuber (2 of 2)

cube

noun

Word Origin for cube

Word Origin and History for cuber (1 of 2)

cube

Word Origin and History for cuber (1 of 2)

cube

Science definitions for cuber

cube

Verb

Noun