What is a cubit?
Q: What is a cubit?
A: A cubit is an ancient unit of measure used by various peoples, based on measuring the length of one's forearm.
Q: How long is a natural cubit?
A: A natural cubit is 1½ feet or 45.72 cm (18 inches).
Q: What are some other units similar to the cubit?
A: Other units similar to the cubit include 6 palms = 24 digits (~45.0 cm or 18 inches), 7 palms = 28 digits (~52.5 cm or 21 inches), 8 palms = 32 digits (~60.0 cm or 24 inches), and 9 palms = 36 digits (~67.5 cm or 27 inches).
Q: What is the Roman ulna?
A: The Roman ulna was a four-feet-cubit, approximately 120 cm in length, measured from a man's hip to the fingers of his outstretched opposite arm.
Q: Where does the English yard come from?
A: The origin of the English yard is unknown, but it has a long legal history.
Q: What is an ell?
A: An ell is essentially a great cubit of 15 palms, 114 cm, or 45 inches (3.75 ft).
