coupled, ppl. a.
(ˈkʌp(ə)ld)
[f. couple + -ed.]
1. Tied, joined, linked, or associated together in pairs. In Her. = conjoined c.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 99 Cowplyd, copulatus. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas ii. i. iv. 614 Thou..that things to come dost know Not by..coupled points, nor flight of fatall Birds. 1621 Lady M. Wroth Urania 361 The rest..came coupled, Polarchos and his soone wonne Lady, etc. 1709 Watts Lyric Poems, Adventurous Muse v, His verse sublime A monument too high for coupled sounds to climb. 1869 Eng. Mech. 19 Mar. 579/2 The coupled wheels [of a locomotive] were..equally loaded. Six-wheeled coupled engines had from 5 tons to 6 tons on a wheel. |
b. Arch. coupled columns: columns disposed in pairs close together, with wider intervals between the pairs. coupled windows: windows placed side by side, forming a pair: cf. couplet 3.
| 1731 Bailey (vol. II) s.v. Column, Coupled Columns, are such as are disposed by two and two, so as almost to touch each other at their bases and capitals. 1842–76 Gwilt Archit. §267 The use of coupled columns and niches exhibits other varieties in which the Romans delighted. 1879 Sir G. G. Scott Lect. Archit. I. 95 Coupled columns of nearly three feet diameter each. 1881 Freeman Subj. Venice 108 A grand range of Romanesque coupled windows, bearing date 1250. |
c. Joined in marriage.
| 1672 Essex Papers (Camden) I. 38 After they have marryed persons, the coupled, on discontents, part, and pretend they were not legally marryed. |
d. See couple v. 8
† 2. Built with couples or rafters, roofed. Obs. (See couple n. 8.)
| 1382 Wyclif Haggai i. 4 That ȝe dwelle in housis couplid with tymbre [Vulg. in domibus laqueatis]. |
3. In combination, as well-coupled, short-coupled: said of the joining of the back to the hind-quarters in horses, etc. Also in reference to roof-couples.
| 1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 100 Horses that are short coupled and well-backed. 1649 G. Daniel Trinarch. Hen. V, cclxxxv, The well-rais'd Arch of Honour! where noe Act of Fame misplac't, Firms him, well-coupled, from the sure-lay'd Base. 1720 W. Gibson Diet Horses viii. (ed. 3) 120 Many of our best ambling nags are well coupled, and for the most part durable on a journey. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth viii, A strong black horse..high-shouldered, strong-limbed, well-coupled, and round-barrelled. |
¶ Erroneously for cupolaed, having a cupola.
| 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 33 The Ottaman Mausoleas..built all of white marble, round in forme, coupled on the top. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 120 'Tis covered at top, arched and coupled after the mode of those oriental Countreys. |