Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Couple
Cou′ple
(kŭp′’l)
, Noun.
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. Shakespeare
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.
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.
☞ 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
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Coupled
(kŭp′’ld)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Coupling
(kŭp′lĭng)
.] 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
And
couple
Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. Shakespeare
2.
To join in wedlock; to marry.
[Colloq.]
A parson who
couples
all our beggars. Swift.
Cou′ple
,Verb.
I.
To come together as male and female; to copulate.
[Obs.]
Milton. Bacon.
Webster 1828 Edition
Couple
COUPLE
,Noun.
1.
Two of the same species or kind, and near in place, or considered together; as a couple of men; a couple or oranges. I have planted a couple of cherry trees. We cannot call a horse and an ox a couple, unless we add a generic term. Of a horse and ox feeding in a pasture, we should say, a couple of animals. Among huntsmen and soldiers, brace is used for couple; as a brace of ducks; a brace or pistols. Couple differs from pair, which implies strictly not only things of the same kind, but likeness, equality or customary association. A pair is a couple; but a couple may or may not be a pair.2.
Two things of any kind connected or linked together.3.
A male and female connected by marriage, betrothed or allied; as a married couple; a young couple.4.
That which links or connects two things together; a chain.COUPLE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To link, chain or connect one thing with another; to sew or fasten together.Thou shalt couple the curtains with taches. Exodus 26.
2.
To marry; to wed; to unite, as husband and wife.COUPLE
,Verb.
I.