coupee, n.
(kuːˈpiː, ˈkuːpiː)
Also 8 coopee, coupie, coupé.
[ad. F. coupé in same sense: see -ee.]
A dance step formerly much used; the dancer rests on one foot and passes the other forward or backward, making a sort of salutation; hence, sometimes used for a bow made while advancing.
| 1673 Wycherley Gentl. Dancing-Master iii. i, One, two, and a coupee. 1690 D'Urfey Collin's Walk iii. (D.) Coupees low from pauper drudges. 1708 Motteux Rabelais v. xxiv. (1737) 105 Jerts..Coupés, Hops, Leadings, Risings. 1757 E. Griffith Lett. Henry & Frances (1767) II. 105 Why shall a man practise coupees, who only means to walk? 1827 Lamb Let. to Barton in Final Mem. viii. (1865) 261 Advancing..with a coupee and a sidelong bow. |
Hence coupee v. intr., to make this movement; to make a sort of bow or salutation in dancing.
| 1690 D'Urfey Collin's Walk iii. (D.) [He] Would lose his freedom like a puppy, Rather than she [his daughter] not learn to coupee. 1707 J. Stevens tr. Quevedo's Com. Wks. (1709) 386 It being dubious whether I limp or coupee. 1748 Earthquake of Peru iii. 255 That it may not hinder them in rising or coupeeing. |