ppl. a. [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, III. 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 March, 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.
† 2. Built with couples or rafters, roofed. Obs. (See COUPLE sb. 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.
