[ad. L. accubātiōn-em, var. of accubitiōn-em, n. of action, f. accubā-re to lie near to, f. ac- = ad- to + cubāre to lie.]
† 1. The posture of reclining at table, practiced by many ancient nations.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 241. Accubation, or lying downe at meales was a gesture used by very many nations. Ibid., 244. Now there was leaning on Jesus bosome one of his disciples whom Jesus loved; which gesture will not so well agree unto the position of sitting, but is naturall … in the Laws of accubation.
1656. Cowley, Davideis (1669), II. 71. The words of Session and Accubation are often confounded, both being in practice at several Times, and in several Nations.
2. Med. Lying in; = ACCOUCHEMENT.
1879. Syd. Soc. Lex.
