tubular
UK /ˈtjuːbjʊlə/ · US /ˈt(j)ubjələɹ/ adjective
- adjective Shaped like a tube. “tubular bell”
- adjective Relating to, or composed of, tubes or tubules.
- adjective (US, slang, dated) Cool, awesome.
Synonyms
cannular tubiform tuboid tuboidal tubelike tube-shaped vasiform
Etymology
From Latin tubulus + -ar. By surface analysis, tubule + -ar. The sense meaning "cool" or "awesome" is believed to be a figurative extension originating in surfing lingo, from the way that an excellent wave encloses a surfer within tubular walls of water.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Having the form of a tube, or pipe; consisting of a pipe; fistular; as, a tubular snout; a tubular calyx. Also, containing, or provided with, tubes. Tubular boiler. See under Boiler.
Etymology [L. tubulus, dim. of tubus a tube, or pipe. See Tube.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “tubular”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details