cucurbit

[ kyoo-kur-bit ]

/ kyuˈkɜr bɪt /

a gourd.

any plant of the gourd family.

Chemistry. the gourd-shaped portion of an alembic, a vessel formerly used in distilling.

Origin of cucurbit

1350–1400; Middle English cucurbite < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin cucurbita; cf. gourd, courgette

This apparatus consists of a cucurbit and capital of tinned copper or brass, Pl.

Elements of Chemistry, |Antoine Lavoisier
Cucurbit, kū′kur-bit, n. a chemical vessel used in distillation, originally shaped like a gourd.

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) |Various
Mr. Homberg suspects that it was not so dry when put into the cucurbit as when it was taken out.

Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed. |Pierre Joseph Macquer
The Decoction of such a plant perfectly resembles the water left in the cucurbit, after distilling its Essential Oil.

Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed. |Pierre Joseph Macquer

Continue distilling this first liquor, till the vinegar contained in the cucurbit be diminished about a fourth part.

Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed. |Pierre Joseph Macquer

cucurbit

/ (kjuːˈkɜːbɪt) /

any creeping flowering plant of the mainly tropical and subtropical family Cucurbitaceae, which includes the pumpkin, cucumber, squashes, and gourds

cucurbitaceous, adjective

C14: from Old French, from Latin cucurbita gourd, cup