English Dictionary: couple | by the DICT Development Group |
4 results for couple | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
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. [bd]A couple of shepherds.[b8] --Sir P. Sidney. [bd]A couple of drops[b8] --Addison. [bd]A couple of miles.[b8] --Dickens. [bd]A couple of weeks.[b8] --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. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Couple \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. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Couple \Cou"ple\, v. i. To come together as male and female; to copulate. [Obs.] --Milton. Bacon. |