tube

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an electric railway operating below the surface of the ground (usually in a city)

   in Paris the subway system is called the `metro' and in London it is called the `tube' or the `underground'

2. 2
   verb

   ride or float on an inflated tube

   We tubed down the river on a hot summer day

3. 3
   verb

   convey in a tube

   inside Paris, they used to tube mail

4. 4
   noun

   Anything that is hollow and cylindrical in shape.

   But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. ¶[…]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window […], and a 'bead' could be drawn upon Molly, the dairymaid, kissing the fogger behind the hedge, little dreaming that the deadly tube was levelled at them.

5. 5
   noun

   An approximately cylindrical container, usually with a crimped end and a screw top, used to contain and dispense semiliquid substances.

   A tube of toothpaste.

6. 6
   noun

   The London Underground railway system, originally referred to the lower level lines that ran in tubular tunnels as opposed to the higher ones which ran in rectangular section tunnels. (Often the tube.)

   I took the tube to Waterloo and walked the rest of the way.

7. 7
   noun

   A tin can containing beer.

   It's alright to cop a warm tube of Fosters and a cold pie 'n' peas when you're dated by one of the locals[.]

8. 8
   noun

   A wave which pitches forward when breaking, creating a hollow space inside.

   It seemed like Butch was invincible, like he could do nothing wrong, coming through one unbelievable tube after another.

Etymology

From Middle French tube, from Latin tubus (“tube, pipe”), related to tuba (“long trumpet; war-trumpet”), of obscure ultimate origin, but possibly connected to tībia (“shinbone, reed-pipe”); see there. Doublet of tubus.