Cups

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kʌps/

Definitions

1. A container used to hold liquids, often with a handle or a small bowl used for measurement in cooking | An action of serving or drinking from such a container | A unit of measurement in cooking equivalent to a specific volume
2. A vessel designed primarily for holding beverages, often featuring a handle, a device for distributing liquids, and a standard measurement unit in culinary contexts
3. An object typically used for drinking purposes that may also serve as a measuring tool, and it designates a quantity in recipes or cooking instructions

Etymology: The plural noun form "cups" is straightforward in its etymology, but its base, "cup," has a lineage that stretches back through the centuries and across languages. The English "cup" entered the language during the Old English period as "cuppe," a word that itself was borrowed from the Late Latin "cuppa." This Latin term was used for a drinking vessel, and its origins are uncertain, though some scholars suggest a connection to the Greek "kyphos," meaning "bent" or "hollow," describing the vessel’s shape. Over time, the word retained its concrete meaning, referring to a small bowl-shaped container used for drinking. While many English words for drinking vessels have faded or shifted in meaning, this one has remained remarkably stable. The regular plural "cups" simply adds the standard English "-s" suffix, a pattern established in Middle English for most countable nouns. The term has also found metaphorical uses over the centuries, from the biblical "cup of suffering" to the competitive "cup" awarded as a trophy, a sense that arose in the 15th century when winners were given valuable drinking vessels as prizes. Despite these metaphorical expansions, the core sense remains rooted in the humble, practical object for holding a drink.

Synonyms: mugs, goblets