I. ˈküp also and S usually ˈku̇p noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English cupe, akin to Old English cȳpa, cȳpe basket — more at kipe
1.
a. : a cage or small enclosure for poultry or other small animals : pen ; also : a small building for housing poultry
b. : a poorly made or ramshackle structure with holes or cracks in the walls
2. : a confined area : a narrow constricted space: as
a. : jail
b. : quarters in which voters were cooped
c. : a small booth or gallery
reporters in the press coop
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to confine in a narrow restricted often crowded area : deprive of free motion by cramped quarters — often used with up
poor emigrants, cooped up in their steerage quarters — Ruth Park
2. : to place or keep in a coop : pen — often used with up
rabbits cooped up in their hutches
3. : obstruct , restrain , inhibit — often used with up
cooping up the mind in dogma
4. slang : to hold (voters that are often unqualified or bribed) in seclusion under guard until election day
Synonyms: see enclose
III. ˈküp, ˈku̇p, ˈkōp, ˈkäp verb imperative
Etymology: contraction of come up
dialect : come — a call to domestic animals
IV. ˈküp noun
( -s )
Etymology: by alteration
substandard : coupé