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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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