An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An adjective applied to the phase of the Moon (or a planet) when it is more than half full, but less than entirely full.

Etymology (EN): From L.L. gibbous “hunchbacked,” from L. gibbus “hump, hunch;” cf. Mod.Pers. kaž “crooked, bent, being aside;” Skt. kubja- “hump-backed, crooked;” Pali kujja- “bent;” Lith. kupra “hump.”

Etymology (PE): Kuž “humped,” Mid.Pers. kôf “hill, mountain; hump” (Mod.Pers. kuh, “mountain”), kôfik “humpbacked,” O.Pers. kaufa-, Av. kaofa- “mountain;” mâh, → moon.