algibe

Old Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from Andalusian Arabic اَلْجُبّ (al-jubb), from Arabic جُبّ (jubb, “cistern, well, pit”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /alˈʒibe/

Noun

algibe m (plural algibes)

1. cistern (underground reservoir)
   • c. 1250, Alfonso X, Lapidario, f. 61v:

     Et de como la fallan es deſta guiſa. que cabo daquella uilla a un campo. ⁊ ay muchos algibes en que ſe allega el agua dela lluuia ⁊ en cabo daquel campo a un monte muy alto de q́ deſcende agua de q́ ſe ynchen aquellos algibes. ⁊ quando ſe ſecan en tiempo del uerano, fallan y eſtas piedras.

     And the manner in which this [stone] is found is this. In the outskirts of the city there is a field with cisterns that rainwater runs into, and near the edge of the field there is a high mountain from which that water that fills the cisterns descends. And when they dry up in the summertime, the stones may be found inside.

Descendants

• Spanish: aljibe