cubeb

[ kyoo-beb ]

noun

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

cubeb

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cubeb¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cubeb¹

C14: from Old French cubebe, from Medieval Latin cubēba, from Arabic kubābah

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

Meanwhile, place the lamb, grated onion, Moroccan spice mixture, cubeb berries or cayenne, saffron, cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon salt, butter and half the oil in the tagine.

From Los Angeles Times

Descended from alchemical origins, it was perfected in its familiar "dry" style during the British Empire and reflected an imperial power's taste for imported curiosities: cubeb berries, orris root, cassia bark.

From Forbes

Descended from alchemical origins, it was perfected in its familiar “dry” style during the British and reflected an imperial power’s taste for imported curiosities: cubeb berries, orris root, cassia bark.

From Forbes

A closely allied species, Piper Clusii, produces the African cubebs or West African black-pepper, the berry of which is smoother than that of common cubebs and usually has a curved pedicel.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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