COPULATION


Meaning of COPULATION in English

ˌkäpyəˈlāshən noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English copulacioun, from Middle French copulation, from Latin copulation-, copulatio, from copulatus + -ion-, -io -ion

1. : the act of coupling or joining : the state of being coupled or joined : union , conjunction

wit, you know, is the unexpected copulation of ideas — Samuel Johnson

2.

a. : sexual union : coitus

b. : permanent fusion of gametes — compare conjugation

3. : the joining of subject and predicate by a copula

4. : coupling — compare couple vi 2b

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.