coup_e

n. [ F. couple, fr. L. copula a bond, band; co- + apere, aptum, to join. See Art, a., and cf. Copula. ] 1. That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It is in some sort with friends as it is with dogs in couples; they should be of the same size and humor. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

I'll go in couples with her. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace. “A couple of shepherds.” Sir P. Sidney. “A couple of drops” Addison. “A couple of miles.” Dickens. “A couple of weeks.” Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

Adding one to one we have the complex idea of a couple. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Ziba ] met him with a couple of asses saddled. 2 Sam. xvi. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such were our couple, man and wife. Lloyd. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fair couple linked in happy, nuptial league. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Arch.) See Couple-close. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Elec.) One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Mech.) Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The effect of a couple of forces is to produce a rotation. A couple of rotations is equivalent to a motion of translation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To come together as male and female; to copulate. [ Obs. ] Milton. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Coupled p. pr. & vb. n. Coupling ] [ F. coupler, fr. L. copulare. See Couple, n., and cf. Copulate, Cobble, v. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join. [ 1913 Webster ]

Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, . . .
And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To join in wedlock; to marry. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A parson who couples all our beggars. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who makes it his business to marry beggars to each other. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Couple-closes (kŭp"'l*klō"s&ebreve_;z). 1. (Her.) A diminutive of the chevron, containing one fourth of its surface. Couple-closes are generally borne one on each side of a chevron, and the blazoning may then be either a chevron between two couple-closes or chevron cottised. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) A pair of rafters framed together with a tie fixed at their feet, or with a collar beam. [ Engl. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. joined together especially in a pair or pairs.
Syn. -- conjugate, conjugated. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. connected by a physical link, as railway cars or trailer trucks. Opposite of unconnected or unlinked
Syn. -- joined, linked. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Cf. OF. couplement. ] Union; combination; a coupling; a pair. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

And forth together rode, a goodly couplement. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who couples; that which couples, as a link, ring, or shackle, to connect cars. [ 1913 Webster ]

Coupler of an organ, a contrivance by which any two or more of the ranks of keys, or keys and pedals, are connected so as to act together when the organ is played. [ 1913 Webster ]