Reference  |  Webster's Dictionary  |  C  |  Counterstand to Couple

C — Counterstand to Couple (Part 6 of 6)

6. (Mech.) Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes.

The effect of a couple of forces is to produce a rotation. A couple of rotations is equivalent to a motion of translation.

Couple
(Cou"ple), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coupled (k?p"'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Coupling ] [F. coupler, fr. L. copulare. See Couple, n., and cf. Copulate, Cobble, v.]

1. To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join.

Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, . . .
And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach.
Shak.

2. To join in wedlock; to marry. [Colloq.]

A parson who couples all our beggars.
Swift.

Couple
(Cou"ple), v. i. To come together as male and female; to copulate. [Obs.] Milton. Bacon.