| 释义 |
cou·ple
I. \ˈkəpəl\ verb
(coupled ; coupled ; coupling \ˈkəp(ə)liŋ, -lēŋ\ ; couples)
Etymology: Middle English couplen to join, connect, from Old French copler, coupler, from Latin copulare, from copula bond
transitive verb
1. : to connect for consideration together : join together for combined effect or consideration
< supported the bill … and coupled it with a demand for national reclamation — P.C.Phillips >
: unite or link especially abstract or immaterial things
< individuality of expression coupled with the spice of novelty — J.L.Lowes >
< trade-union pressure coupled with unemployment — H.B.Parkes >
2. : to fasten together : join, link
< coupling his holdings and his deceased brother's >
as
a. : to fasten with a leash
< coupling the hounds >
b. : to connect with a coupling
< coupling the freight cars >
c. : to connect (as two or more keys or keyboards of an organ) by a coupler
d.
(1) : to bring (two physical systems) into such relation that the performance of one influences the performance of the other (as in suspending two pendulums from different points on the same horizontal rope)
(2) : to bring (two electric circuits) into such close proximity as to permit mutual influence
(3) : to join (electric circuits or devices) into a single circuit
e. : to cause (as an aromatic diazonium compound) to unite with another compound usually with the elimination of a simple molecule (as of hydrochloric acid in the formation of an azo dye) — compare conjugate 3
f. : to record on opposite sides of a phonograph record or in the same series of records
< his first symphony being coupled with his third >
3.
a. : to join in marriage or sexual union
b. : to bring into association (as friendship, companionship, partnership, opposition, or rivalry)
c. : to cause (domestic animals) to breed or copulate
intransitive verb
1. : to unite in sexual union — often used with with
2.
a. : to come together : join
b. of chemical compounds or radicals : to unite usually with elimination of a simple molecule (as of hydrochloric acid)
II. \“; “a couple of” is often əˈkəplə(v)\ noun
(plural couples also couple)
Etymology: Middle English, pair, bond, from Old French cople, couple, from Latin copula bond, band, from (assumed) Latin co-apula, from Latin co- + (assumed) Latin -apula (from Latin apere to fasten, tie) — more at apt
1.
a. : a man and his wife : a man and woman married or engaged
< she and Jon would make a lovely couple — John Galsworthy >
b. : a man and woman paired as partners in any work, recreation, or other activity
c. : a man and wife employed together to perform usually related jobs in a single establishment (as butler and cook in a household)
d. : any two persons paired together in some work, enterprise, or activity
2. : mating, copulation
< birds in couple >
3.
a. : a pair of animals often of different sexes
b. : a pair of hounds
c. : a ewe and lamb
4. : something that joins or links two things together: as
a. couples plural : a pair of collars joined by a chain for coupling two hounds together
b. : coupler 1c
5.
a. : two of the same kind considered together : pair
b. : couple-close 2
c. : two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines
d. : voltaic couple
e. : binary star
•
- a couple of
III. adjective
: two — used with a
< a couple more oaths >
< a couple nights ago > |