Part 2501

<hw>Cou"ple</hw> <tt>(k?p"'l)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>couple</ets>, fr. L. <ets>copula</ets> a bond, band; <ets>co-</ets> + <ets>apere</ets>, <ets>aptum</ets>, ti join. See <er>Art</er>, <tt>a.</tt>, and cf.<er>Copula</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>It is in some sort with friends as it is with dogs in <b>couples</b>; <b>they should be of the same size and humor</b>. <i>L'Estrange.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>I'll go in <b>couples</b> with her. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace. "A <i>couple</i> of shepherds." <i>Sir P</i>. <i>Sidney</i>. "A <i>couple</i> of drops" <i>Adduson</i>. "A <i>couple</i> of miles." <i>Dickens</i>. "A <i>couple</i> of weeks." <i>Carlyle</i>.</def>

<blockquote>Adding one to one we have the complex idea of a <b>couple</b>. <i>Locke.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote> met him with a <b>couple</b> of asses saddled. <i>2 Sam. xvi. 1.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed.</def>

<blockquote>Such were our <b>couple</b>, man and wife. <i>Lloyd.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Fair <b>couple</b> linked in happy, nuptial league. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>See <er>Couple-close</er>.</def>

<p><b>5.</b> <fld>(Elec.)</fld> <def>One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; -- called a <i>voltaic couple</i> or <i>galvanic couple</i>.</def>

<p><b>6.</b> <fld>(Mech.)</fld> <def>Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes.</def>

<note>&hand; The effect of a <i>couple</i> of forces is to produce a rotation. A <i>couple</i> of rotations is equivalent to a motion of translation.</note>

<h1>Couple</h1> <Xpage=334>

<hw>Cou"ple</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Coupled</er> <tt>(k?p"'ld)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Coupling</er> <tt>(-l?ng)</tt>.]</wordforms> <ety>[F. <ets>coupler</ets>, fr. L. <ets>copulare</ets>. See <er>Couple</er>, <tt>n.</tt>, and cf. <er>Copulate</er>, <er>Cobble</er>, <ets>v</ets>. ]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join.</def>

<blockquote>Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, . . . And <b>couple</b> Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To join in wedlock; to marry.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<blockquote>A parson who <b>couples</b> all our beggars. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Couple</h1> <Xpage=334>

<hw>Cou"ple</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <def>To come together as male and female; to copulate.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Milton. Bacon.</i>

<h1>Couple-beggar</h1> <Xpage=334>

<hw>Cou"ple-beg`gar</hw> <tt>(-b?g`g?r)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who makes it his business to marry beggars to each other.</def>

<i>Swift.</i>

<h1>Couple-close</h1> <Xpage=334>

<hw>Cou"ple-close`</hw> <tt>(k?p"?-kl?s`)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Couple-closes</plw> (-kl<?/"s<?/z).</plu> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Her.)</fld> <def>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.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>A pair of rafters framed together with a tie fixed at their feet, or with a collar beam.</def> <mark>[Engl.]</mark>