Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Accubation
Acˊcu-ba′tion
(ăk-kū̍-bā′shŭn)
, Noun.
The act or posture of reclining on a couch, as practiced by the ancients at meals.
Webster 1828 Edition
Accubation
ACCUBA'TION
,Noun.
A lying or reclining on a couch, as the ancients at their meals. The manner was to recline on low beds or couches with the head resting on a pillow or on the elbow. Two or three men lay on one bed, the feet of one extended behind the back of another. This practice was not permitted among soldiers, children and servants; nor was it known, until luxury had corrupted manners.
Definition 2024
accubation
accubation
English
Noun
accubation (uncountable)
Accubation.
- The act or posture of reclining on a couch, as practiced by the ancients at meals.
- 1902, Journal of Biblical literature, volume 21-22, page 64:
- Accubation was introduced in Rome after the first Punic War (264-241 BC). In Greece accubation was unknown at the time of the Homeric poems (cf. Od. i. 145 ἑξείης ἕζοντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε, XV. 134 ἑζέσθην δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἔπειτα κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε), but afterwards the Greeks and Romans adopted this Oriental fashion and lay very nearly flat on their breasts while taking their meals, or in a semi-sitting posture supported on the left elbow.
- Sir Thomas Browne
- Accubation, or lying down at meals, was a gesture used by many nations.
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Related terms
Translations
the act or posture of reclining on a couch