v. [UN-2 4 b. Cf. MDu. ontcoppelen, -copplen, Du. ontkoppelen.]
1. trans. To release (dogs) from being fastened together in couples; to set free for the chase.
13[?]. Guy Warw. (A.), 2512. A gret bore þai founden, y-wis, & hij uncopled her houndis.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 119. The houndes weren in a throwe Uncoupled and the hornes blowe.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), xiii. Þe firste bolde houndes hunteth alle manere of beestes þat his maister will vncouple hym to.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 43. The houndes were uncoupeled on hem, and chaced and bote hem spitously bi the eeres and thies.
1555. Instit. Gentl., H vj b. Likewise huntyng in his kinde, as to fleshe a dogge, to vncupple houndes, to followe them [etc.].
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 102. They shall place their houndes in some faire place…, forbidding the varlet that he uncouple them not without their knowledge.
1600. Surflet, Countrie Farme, VII. xxv. 847. He must not vncouple any of his dogs; but onely marke the way that the Hart runneth.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xii. Ere we had uncoupled the hounds, he … turns bridle … and leaves us to hunt at leisure by ourselves.
1842. Mrs. Gore, etc., Fascination, xi. Order the hounds to be uncoupled, and I will beat the underwood with three or four of the surest.
B. absol. (Also in fig. use.)
c. 1386. Chaucer, Monk’s T., 512. He maked hym so konnyng and so sowple That longe tyme it was er tirannye Or any vice dorste on hym vncowple.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), xxxv. Þe herte houndes … þat before haue be ladde by somme forster or parker þedur as þei shull vncouple.
1596. Edward III., I. ii. 91. What, are the stealing Foxes fled and gone, Before we could vncupple at their heeles?
1599. Shaks., Mids. N., V. i. 112. My Loue shall heare the musicke of my hounds. Vncouple in the Westerne valley.
2. To unfasten, disconnect, detach.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), N n j b. How far is our vnderstandyng vncoupled for thy thoughtes.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. John, xiv. 87 b. That shall so couple you and vs together, that neyther lyfe nor death can vncouple vs.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxv. (1887), 124. Being so neare companions in linke, and not to be vncoupled in learning.
1685. Dryden, Lucretius, III. 10. When our mortal frame shall be disjoyn’d, The lifeless Lump uncoupled from the mind, From sense of grief and pain we shall be free.
1786. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 23. Congress have desired those States to uncouple the grants, so that each may come into force separately.
1858. O. W. Holmes, Aut. Breakf.-t., viii. Will nobody block those wheels, uncouple that pinion, cut the string that holds those weights?
1884. Harper’s Mag., July, 273/1. The locomotive is uncoupled from the cars.
Hence Uncoupled ppl. a.1, Uncoupler.
1687. Dryden, Pal. & Arc., II. 236. Th’ appointed Place In which th’ uncoupl’d Hounds began the Chace.
1705. Stevens, II. An Uncoupler, desuñidor.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., Decouple, in Heraldry, the same as Uncoupled, i. e. parted or sever’d.
1803. Scott, Cadyow Castle, x. Steeds snort; uncoupled staghounds bay.
