Obs. Also 7 coopel-, coople-, cupple-. [a. OF. couplement: see COUPLE v. and -MENT; cf. accouplement.]
1. The act of coupling or fact of being coupled together; union of pairs.
1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VII., an. 16. 52 b. By this conjunccion and couplement of matrimony.
1596. Spenser, Prothal., vi. Ioy may you haue and gentle hearts content of your loues couplement.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., xxi. Making a coopelment of proud compare With Sunne and Moone, with earth and seas rich gems.
a. 1670. Hacket, Abp. Williams, II. (1692), 140. He met with all sort of Brain-sick Factions combined in one Couplement?
2. The result of coupling. a. A couple, pair.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 535. I wish you the peace of minde, most royall cupplement.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. v. 24. And forth together rode, a comely couplement.
1816. Southey, Lay of Laureate, Dream, 70. Anon two female forms … Came side by side, a beauteous couplement.
b. Of verses: A couplet or stanza.
1594. Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits (1616), 42. He made couplements of verses very well composed.
3. Anything that couples together; a coupling.
1622. F. Markham, Bk. War, III. x. § 5. Ordnance ready mounted with all their Cooplements, Ornaments, Tires.
