Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - cup

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English ~pe, from Old English, from Late Latin ~pa ~, alteration of Latin ~a tub — more at hive  Date: before 12th century  1. an open usually bowl-shaped drinking vessel  2.  a. a drinking vessel and its contents  b. the consecrated wine of the Communion  3. something that falls to one's lot  4. an ornamental ~ offered as a prize (as in a championship)  5. something resembling a ~: as  a. a ~-shaped plant organ  b. an athletic supporter reinforced usually with plastic to provide extra protection to the wearer  c. either of two parts of a brassiere that are shaped like and fit over the breasts  d. the metal case inside a hole in golf; also the hole itself  6. a usually iced beverage resembling punch but served from a pitcher rather than a bowl  7. a half pint ; eight fluid ounces  8. a food served in a ~-shaped usually footed vessel a fruit ~  9. the symbol ? indicating the union of two sets — compare cap 7  • ~like adjective  II. transitive verb  (~ped; ~ping)  Date: 14th century  1. to treat by ~ping  2.  a. to curve into the shape of a ~ ~ped his hands around his mouth  b. to place in or as if in a ~