Cup1, n.
n. [A-S. cupp, cuppa, copp, D. & Dan. kop, Sw. kopp, Ger. kopf, Fr. coupe, Pr., Sp., & Pg. copa, It. coppa, L. Lat. cuppa, cup, from Lat. cupa, cuppa, tub, cask, &c., for holding liquids. Cf. Coop.]
Sense 1. A small vessel used commonly to drink from; a chalice.
There, take it to you, trenchers, cups and all. Shak.
Sense 2. The contents of such a vessel; the portion to be drunk; a cupful. “Give me a cup of sack, boy.” Shak. “His habitual cup.” Milton.
Sense 3. (pl.) Repeated potations; social or excessive indulgence in intoxicating drinks; excessive drinking; revelry; drunkenness. “Thence from cups to civil broils.” Milton.
Sense 4. That which is to be received or endured; that which is allotted or bestowed upon one; portion; lot.
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Matt. xxvi. 39.
May feel the whirl of fortune’s wheel, and taste of sorrow’s cup. Gascoigne.
Sense 5. Any thing formed like a cup; as, the cup of an acorn, or of a flower, and the like.
The cowslip’s golden cup no more I see. Shenstone.
Sense 6. (Surg.) A cup or vessel used for drawing blood, being placed on a scarified part to extract the blood by atmospheric pressure; a cupping-glass.