[cou.ple] n [ME, pair, bond, fr. OF cople, fr. L copula bond, fr. co- + apere to fasten--more at apt] (13c) 1 a: a man and woman married, engaged, or otherwise paired b: two persons paired together
2: pair, brace
3: something that joins or links two things together: as a: two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines b: a pair of substances that in contact with an electrolyte participate in a transfer of electrons which causes an electric current to flow
4: an indefinite small number: few "a ~ of days ago"
[2]cou.ple vb cou.pled ; cou.pling vt (13c) 1 a: to connect for consideration together b: to join for combined effect
2. a: to fasten together: link b: to bring (two electric circuits) into such close proximity as to permit mutual influence
3: to join in marriage or sexual union ~ vi 1: to unite in sexual union
2: join
3: to unite chemically [3]couple adj (1924): two; also: few--used with a "a ~ drinks" usage The adjective use of a couple, without of, has been called nonstandard, but it is not. In both British and American English it is standard before a word (as more or less) indicating degree "a couple more examples of Middle Englis h writing --Charles Barber". Its use before an ordinary plural noun is an Americanism, common in speech and in writing that is not meant to be formal or elevated "the first couple chapters are pretty good --E. B. White (letter)" "still operated a couple wagons for hire --Garrison Keillor". It is most frequently used with periods of time "a couple weeks" and numbers "a couple hundred" "a couple dozen".