[F.; specific application of coupé (pa. pple.) cut: in sense 1 Littré has also carosse coupé cut carriage.]
1. A short four-wheeled close carriage with an inside seat for two, and outside seat for the driver.
1834. Medwin, Angler in Wales, II. 182. There we met with his ‘Coupé’ and the fair Ravennese en route.
1880. Mrs. Forrester, Roy & V., I. 13. I will send the coupé for you at a quarter to one.
1892. Times, 16 Feb., 1/2. The Coupé Company wish to return … a rug … left in one of their carriages.
2. a. The front or after compartment of a continental diligence.
1834. J. Barrow, Excurs. N. Europe, ii. 82. The coupé in front accommodates one who sits next to the conducteur.… In the rear in another coupé. Ibid., 83. A seat in the after coupé of a Russian diligence.
b. An end compartment in a railway carriage, seated on one side only.
1853. Ann. Reg., 132. Two ladies, who were seated in a coupé.
1859. All Y. Round, No. 30. 78. I have written a column of close ‘copy’ in a coupé.
3. Fencing. A movement of the sword equivalent to a disengage, but effected by drawing the sword along and over the point of the adversary’s.
1889. W. H. Pollock, etc. Fencing (Badm. Libr.), ii. 49. The coupé is the opposite of the disengage, the blade being passed over the adversary’s blade instead of under. Ibid., 62. Simulate disengagement into tierce and make a coupé.
4. Dancing. = COUPEE, q.v.
