cucumber

[ kyoo-kuhm-ber ]

noun

1. a creeping plant, Cucumis sativus, of the gourd family, occurring in many cultivated forms.
2. the edible, fleshy fruit of this plant, of a cylindrical shape with rounded ends and having a green, warty skin.
3. any of various allied or similar plants.
4. the fruit of any such plant.

cucumber

/ ˈkjuːˌkʌmbə /

noun

1. See squirting cucumber
   a creeping cucurbitaceous plant, Cucumis sativus, cultivated in many forms for its edible fruit Compare squirting cucumber
2. the cylindrical fruit of this plant, which has hard thin green rind and white crisp flesh
3. any of various similar or related plants or their fruits
4. cool as a cucumber
   cool as a cucumber very calm; self-possessed

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucumber¹

1350–1400; Middle English cucumbre < Anglo-French, Old French co ( u ) combre < Latin cucumer-, stem of cucumis; replacing Middle English, Old English cucumer < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucumber¹

C14: from Latin cucumis, of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see cool as a cucumber .

Example Sentences

In a large bowl, toss the watermelon and cucumber until combined.

From Washington Post

Ruiz includes slices of cucumber in his tiritas, for extra crunch, and a bit of olive oil, which brings out the silkiness of the fish.

From Washington Post

It produces quarter-sized blue flowers that connoisseurs say taste a bit like cucumber.

From Popular-Science

Then, pile on thinly sliced or matchstick-cut cucumbers, roasted peanuts, sliced scallions and lots of fresh cilantro.

From Washington Post

If you are making granita out of, say, watermelon or cucumber, neither of which is a particular fibrous specimen, you can puree them directly.

From Eater

Try explaining what a cucumber tastes like to a 19th century Inuit.

From The Daily Beast

Together, we decide that the drink should be called a Cucumber Superlative.

From The Daily Beast

Allergies—Mix one part cucumber juice with one part beet root juice and three parts carrot juice.

From The Daily Beast

“That scallop dish is just a raw scallop with a grilled cucumber and cucumber vinaigrette,” said McGarry.

From The Daily Beast

Basil, cucumber, mangoes, the cooing of turtledoves on torrid afternoons, the screech of buses coming to a sudden halt.

From The Daily Beast

Scarcely less inspiring were the cucumber-trees, or mountain magnolias, which here reached the perfection of growth.

From Project Gutenberg

Ornament the top with chopped aspic and alternate slices of lemon and cucumber round.

From Project Gutenberg

Arrange the pieces of rabbit in a circle, put the cucumber in the middle, and pour the sauce over the fillets.

From Project Gutenberg

Make a sauce of white stock, and put the pieces of rabbit into it with the cucumber until it is quite done.

From Project Gutenberg

Encouraged by his success, Cucumber fell to capering about in a squatting position, singing the refrain of: 'Shildi-budildi!'

From Project Gutenberg

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