Chapter Counterstand to Couple of C by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Coup de grace

(k" de grs") [F.], the stroke of mercy with which an executioner ends by death the sufferings of the condemned; hence, a decisive, finishing stroke. — Coup de main(k` de mn`) [F.] (Mil.), a sudden and unexpected movement or attack. — Coup de soleil(k` d s-ll or -l"y') [F.] (Med.), a sunstroke. See Sunstroke. — Coup d'état(k" d-t") [F.] (Politics), a sudden, decisive exercise of power whereby the existing government is subverted without the consent of the people; an unexpected measure of state, more or less violent; a stroke of policy. — Coup d'œil[F.] (a) A single view; a rapid glance of the eye; a comprehensive view of a scene; as much as can be seen at one view. (b) The general effect of a picture. (c) (Mil.) The faculty or the act of comprehending at a glance the weakness or strength of a military position, of a certain arrangement of troops, the most advantageous position for a battlefield, etc.

Coupable
(Cou"pa*ble) a. [F.] Culpable. [Obs.]

Coupé
(||Cou`pé") n. [F., fr. coupé, p. p. of couper to cut. See Coppice.]

1. The front compartment of a French diligence; also, the front compartment (usually for three persons) of a car or carriage on British railways.

2. A four-wheeled close carriage for two persons inside, with an outside seat for the driver; — so called because giving the appearance of a larger carriage cut off.

Couped
(Couped) a. [F. couper to cut.] (Her.) Cut off smoothly, as distinguished from erased; — used especially for the head or limb of an animal. See Erased.

Coupee
(Cou*pee") n. [F. coupé, n., properly p. p. of couper to cut. Cf. Coupé, Coopee.] A motion in dancing, when one leg is a little bent, and raised from the floor, and with the other a forward motion is made. Chambers.

Coupe-gorge
(||Coupe`-gorge") n. [F., cut throat.] (Mil.) Any position giving the enemy such advantage that the troops occupying it must either surrender or be cut to pieces. Farrow.

Couple
(Cou"ple) n. [F. couple, fr. L. copula a bond, band; co- + apere, aptum, to join. See Art, a., and cf. Copula.]

1. That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler. [Obs.]

It is in some sort with friends as it is with dogs in couples; they should be of the same size and humor.
L'Estrange.

I'll go in couples with her.
Shak.

2. Two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace. "A couple of shepherds." Sir P. Sidney. "A couple of drops" Addison. "A couple of miles." Dickens. "A couple of weeks." Carlyle.

Adding one to one we have the complex idea of a couple.
Locke.

[Ziba] met him with a couple of asses saddled.
2 Sam. xvi. 1.

3. A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed.

Such were our couple, man and wife.
Lloyd.

Fair couple linked in happy, nuptial league.
Milton.

4. (Arch.) See Couple- close.

5. (Elec.) One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; — called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.