couple

couple [kup′əl]

n.

[ME < OFr cople < L copula, a band, link: see COPULA]

1. anything joining two things together; bond; link

2. two things or persons of the same sort that are somehow associated

3. two people, esp. a man and woman, who are engaged, married, or joined as partners, as in a dance or game

4. Informal an indefinite small number; a few [a couple of ideas ]: now often used with adjectival force, omitting the of [a couple cups of coffee]

5. Elec. two dissimilar metals or alloys placed in electrical contact with each other to create a galvanic or thermoelectric current; voltaic couple

6. Mech. two equal forces producing rotation by moving in parallel but opposite directions

vt.

coupled, coupling [ME couplen < OFr copler < L copulare < copula]

1. to join together by fastening or by association; link; connect

2. Archaic to join in marriage

3. Elec. to join (two or more circuits) by a common magnetic or electric field or by direct connection

vi.

1. to come together; unite

2. to unite in sexual intercourse; copulate

SYN.- PAIR