Definition of cub

The word "cub" has its roots in Old English and Middle English. In Old English, the word "cub" referred to the young of various animals, including mammals and birds. The word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "kubiz", which is also the source of the Modern German word "Kübel", meaning "calf" or "young animal". In Middle English, the word "cub" is attested from around the 13th century, and it continued to be used to refer to the young of various animals, including bears, wolves, and raccoons. The word has also been used figuratively to refer to a young or inexperienced person, particularly in the context of footmen or servants. Today, the word "cub" is commonly used to refer specifically to the young of bears, particularly the black bear (Ursus americanus), and is often used in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries to refer to young bears in captivity.