Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Couple?

\Cou"ple\ (k?p"'l), 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.] 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. I'll go in couples with her. --Shak. 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. Adding one to one we have the complex idea of a couple. --Locke. [Ziba] met him with a couple of asses saddled. --2 Sam. xvi. 1. 3. A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed. Such were our couple, man and wife. --Lloyd. Fair couple linked in happy, nuptial league. --Milton. 4. (Arch.) See {Couple-close}. 5. (Elec.) One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple. 6. (Mech.) Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes. Note: The effect of a couple of forces is to produce a rotation. A couple of rotations is equivalent to a motion of translation.
\Cou"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Coupled} (k?p"'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Coupling} (-l?ng).] [F. coupler, fr. L. copulare. See {Couple}, n., and cf. {Copulate}, {Cobble}, v.] 1. To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, . . . And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. --Shak. 2. To join in wedlock; to marry. [Colloq.] A parson who couples all our beggars. --Swift.
\Cou"ple\, v. i. To come together as male and female; to copulate. [Obs.] --Milton. Bacon.