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

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

There was a strange medicinal odor—as of cubeb cigarettes—in the air.

From The Damnation of Theron Ware by Frederic, Harold

The cubeb is cultivated in Java and Sumatra, the fruits are gathered before they are ripe, and carefully dried.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various

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

From Tish by Rinehart, Mary Roberts

Related Words

• smoke