cucumber
nounUK /ˈkjuːˌkʌmbə/ · US /ˈkjuˌkʌmbɚ/
Etymology From Middle English cucumer, cucumber, from Old French cocombre, ultimately from Latin cucumis, cucumerem (possibly through an Old Occitan intermediate). Probably of Pre-Italic substrate origin. First attested in the late 14c. Displaced native English earthapple (see which for more), which has since acquired other senses.
1
A vine in the gourd family, Cucumis sativus.
- ASPARAGUS, cauliflowers, imperial Sileſia, royal and cabbage lettuces, burnet, purſlain, cucumbers, naſturtian flowers, peaſe and beans ſown in October, artichokes, ſcarlet ſtrawberries, and kidney beans.1767, A Lady [Hannah Glasse], The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Eaſy […] , page 326:
2
The edible fruit of this plant, having a green rind and crisp white flesh.
- […]for it has been a common ſaying of phyſicians in England, that a cucumber ſhould be well ſliced, and dreſſed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing.1785, James Boswell, quoting Samuel Johnson, Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnſon […] , London: Henry Baldwin, page 356:
- "Why, pepper and salt your reasons!" cried Curl, forgetting to look at the door for a moment: "your pamphlet has talent; but talent is like a cucumber, nothing without the dressing. You must be more personal."1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Publishing”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 14:
2 more examples
- Probably on account of its phallic formation, the cucumber is often assumed to have aphrodisiac qualities.1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 71:
- To the bowl, add cucumber, cabbage and carrot.2025 March 12, David Tanis, “Cucumber-Cabbage Salad With Sesame”, in New York Times Cooking, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 13 Mar 2025:
3
Figuratively, Informal A person who is calm and self-possessed.
- The guy's a real cucumber.1999, Mark Grantham, The Brewery, page 275:
- That Wolf is one cool cucumber.2002, Margaret Fisher, Putting on Mock Trials, page 29:
1 more example
- "You're smart," says Irv, pointing at her and nodding his head. "A smart cucumber."2018, Derek B. Miller, American By Day, page 65:
- Derived terms
41 terms
cucumberade, cucumber beetle, cucumber fish, cucumberfish, cucumberita, cucumber mosaic virus, cucumber time, cucumbertini, cucumber tree, Qcumber, cucumber herring, cucumberish, cucumberless, cucumberlike, cucumber mullet, cucumbery, aardvark cucumber, Armenian cucumber, bitter cucumber, burr cucumber, calm as a cucumber, cool as a cucumber, devil's cucumber, exploding cucumber, gemsbok cucumber, maroon cucumber, musk cucumber, sea cucumber, serpent cucumber, slicing cucumber, smacked cucumber, snake cucumber, spotted cucumber beetle, squirting cucumber, star cucumber, striped cucumber beetle, stuffing cucumber, telegraph cucumber, wild cucumber, yard-long cucumber, zombie's cucumber- Related terms
- cucumiform