couplingn.
/ˈkʌplɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈkəplɪŋ/ 1. Joining in couples, pairing; linking: see the verb.
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the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > [noun] > fact or act of being coupled or coupling together
couplingc1340
copulationc1400
yoking?a1425
couplement1548
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > [noun] > roofing > linking (houses)
couplingc1340
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > fact or action of being connected or connecting > [noun] > connection in thought, word, or writing
coupling1589
connexure1615
connection1651
bracketing1869
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > [noun] > union in
yokeOE
couplec1320
alliancec1325
unionc1475
accouplement1483
accouplinga1535
conjunction1541
coupling1641
conjuncture1679
conjugationc1783
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > action or fact of marrying > [noun]
eeOE
weddingc1000
wivingOE
contractc1315
marriagec1325
matrimony1357
unionc1475
maritagec1478
briding1566
espousal1566
match1574
intermarriage1579
despousing1609
espousement1623
nuptial1630
coupling1641
splice1830
intermarrying1843
contraction1885
yokemating1891
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 34 Lufe propirly es a full cuppillynge of þe lufande and þe lufed to-gedyre as Godd and a saule in-to ane.
1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) 2 Chron. xxxiv. 11 Trees to the ioynyngis of the bildyng, and to the coupling of housis.
a1564 T. Becon Certain Articles Christian Relig. Prayers (1844) 463 In the coupling together of the christian members.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xix. 178 We vse sometimes to proceede all by single words, without any close or coupling.
1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 212v Couplings in lawfull marriage.
1700 W. Congreve Way of World i. i. 4 Sir, there's such Coupling at Pancras, that they stand behind one another, as 'twere in a Country Dance.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits v. 87 Their realistic logic or coupling of means to ends.
1878 F. S. Williams Midland Railway (ed. 4) 622 Any detaching or coupling of vehicles.
2. The pairing of the sexes; sexual union.
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the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse
ymonec950
moneOE
meanc1175
manredc1275
swivinga1300
couplec1320
companyc1330
fellowred1340
the service of Venusc1350
miskissinga1387
fellowshipc1390
meddlinga1398
carnal knowinga1400
flesha1400
knowledgea1400
knowledginga1400
japec1400
commoning?c1425
commixtionc1429
itc1440
communicationc1450
couplingc1475
mellingc1480
carnality1483
copulation1483
mixturea1500
Venus act?1507
Venus exercise?1507
Venus play?1507
Venus work?1507
conversation?c1510
flesh-company1522
act?1532
carnal knowledge1532
occupying?1544
congression1546
soil1555
conjunction1567
fucking1568
rem in re1568
commixture1573
coiture1574
shaking of the sheets?1577
cohabitation1579
bedding1589
congress1589
union1598
embrace1599
making-outa1601
rutting1600
noddy1602
poop-noddy1606
conversinga1610
carnal confederacy1610
wapping1610
businessa1612
coition1615
doinga1616
amation1623
commerce1624
hot cocklesa1627
other thing1628
buck1632
act of love1638
commistion1658
subagitation1658
cuntc1664
coit1671
intimacy1676
the last favour1676
quiffing1686
old hat1697
correspondence1698
frigging1708
Moll Peatley1711
coitus1713
sexual intercourse1753
shagging1772
connection1791
intercourse1803
interunion1822
greens1846
tail1846
copula1864
poking1864
fuckeea1866
sex relation1871
wantonizing1884
belly-flopping1893
twatting1893
jelly roll1895
mattress-jig1896
sex1900
screwing1904
jazz1918
zig-zig1918
other1922
booty1926
pigmeat1926
jazzing1927
poontang1927
relations1927
whoopee1928
nookie1930
hump1931
jig-a-jig1932
homework1933
quickie1933
nasty1934
jig-jig1935
crumpet1936
pussy1937
Sir Berkeley1937
pom-pom1945
poon1947
charvering1954
mollocking1959
leg1967
rumpy-pumpy1968
shafting1971
home plate1972
pata-pata1977
bonking1985
legover1985
knobbing1986
rumpo1986
fanny1993
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 72 A goostly mariage, wilk þe bodily copling performiþ.
a1575 N. Harpsfield Treat. Divorce Henry VIII (1878) (modernized text) 247 The fleshly coplinge which before the sin of Adam was in marriage an office or virtuous deed.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) ii. vii. 199 The promiscuous couplings of Males and Females of several species.
3. concrete. Anything that couples, or is used to join together.
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the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > [noun] > fact or act of being coupled or coupling together > that which
coupling1549
couplet1601
couplement1622
coupler1668
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Col. ii. f. viv Deriued into euery member through the ioyntes and couplynges.
1611 Bible (King James) Exod. xxxvi. 11 And he made loopes of blew, on the edge of one curtaine, from the seluedge in the coupling . View more context for this quotation
1643 J. Lightfoot Handfull Gleanings Exod. 42 These two peeces are called couplings.
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the world > food and drink > hunting > equipment > [noun] > leash for hounds
leasha1300
couplec1400
lyamc1400
coupling1607
dog couple1649
swingea1661
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 135 They take off their Dogge couplings.
1687 London Gaz. No. 2254/4 A handsom young white Hound of the King's..slipt his Couplings, and run out of the Mews.
1695 London Gaz. No. 3080/4 A..Spaniel Dog..a pair of Couplings about his Neck.
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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > roof-beam > rafter > principal
couple1364
principal1445
lever1481
coupling1577
chevron1580
blade1855
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > roof-beam > rafter > piece which connects rafters
coupling1577
wind-tie1873
wind-brace1889
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 109 For Cupplinges and Rafters of houses, the Elme.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Chron. xxxiv. 11 Timber for couplings, and to floore the houses. View more context for this quotation
1813 J. Taylor Arator 137 No joists or loft [in the houses] but to be lathed on the rafters and their couplings, nearly to the top of the roof.
6. Technical and scientific uses; in Machinery, etc., the name of various contrivances for connecting parts of constructions or machinery, esp. in order to transmit motion.
a. A contrivance for connecting the ends of shafting together, either permanently, or so as to admit of their being disconnected at pleasure: they are of various kinds, as box coupling, clutch coupling, etc.
ΚΠ
1814 R. Buchanan Pract. Ess. Mill-work iii. 11 It is..often requisite to connect two or more shafts together. These connexions are denominated couplings.
b. The chain or link connecting two carriages or trucks of a railway train.
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society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > railway wagon or carriage > coupling
coupling-chain1838
coupling1840
1840 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 3 5/1 The machine is connected to the train by means of the coupling N in the usual way.
1847 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Patents 1846 82 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (29th Congr., 2nd Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 52) III One patent has been granted for improved couplings for cars.
1887 H. Caine Son of Hagar II. iii. v. 159 The engine and three of the front carriages had broken from their couplings and plunged on to the bank.
c. Carriage-building. (a) The connection or joint upon which the fore-carriage turns or locks. (b) The attachment of whatever kind uniting the hind to the fore wheels.
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society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > coupling-rod connecting wheels
parallel rod1813
connecting rod1839
coupling-rod1869
coupling1874
coupler1879
1874 in E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
d. In an organ; = coupler n.
e. Genetics. (See quots.)
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the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > genetic components > [noun] > allele > dominant or recessive
recessiveness1896
recessive1900
dominance1902
coupling1906
pseudodominance1921
pseudodominant1948
1906 W. Bateson et al. Rep. to Evol. Comm. Royal Soc. No. 3. 8 Complete coupling has so far been most commonly met with among characters of similar physiological nature.
1906 W. Bateson et al. Rep. to Evol. Comm. Royal Soc. No. 3. 11 It is clear that gametic coupling, however caused, plays a large part in the phenomena of heredity.
1909 W. Bateson Mendel's Princ. Heredity (new ed.) ix. 151 The combinations of long pollen with blue factor, and round pollen with no blue factor occur seven times as often as the other two possible combinations. We speak of this phenomenon as Gametic Coupling. The term ‘coupling’ is strictly applicable, because the association is between two dominant or ‘present’ factors.
1926 Encycl. Brit. II. 162/2 It is sometimes convenient to distinguish the case in which the two dominants (AB × ab) are introduced together by the parent as coupling and the converse (Ab × aB) as repulsion.
1965 A. H. Sturtevant Hist. Genetics vi. 40 The two dominants (purple and long) were contributed by the same parent, and the phenomenon was called ‘coupling’.
1970 E. J. Ambrose & D. M. Easty Cell Biol. x. 338 Morgan showed that the proportion of crossing-over between a particular pair of alleles of two different genes..was of the same order, irrespective of whether they were both initially on the same chromosome (in coupling) or on different chromosomes (in repulsion).
f. Physics.
(a) A connection between two oscillating systems which results in a mutual dependence of their oscillations, so that an oscillation in one system causes an oscillation in the other and partly determines its character; spec. (and originally) such a connection (physical or inductive) between two electric circuits. Also, the strength of this interdependence (so tight, loose etc. coupling).
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic phenomena > electronic circuit > [noun] > connection with mutual dependence
inductive coupling1907
coupling1908
1908 C. C. F. Monckton Radio-telegr. vi. 101 Where oscillations in one circuit set up oscillations in an adjacent circuit the two circuits are said to be coupled. If a considerable portion of the field of force of the first circuit is embraced by the second the coupling is fast; if only a small portion, the coupling is loose.
1923 E. W. Marchant Radio Telegr. iii. 30 The looser the coupling between the two circuits, the less rapidly is the energy of the oscillating circuit used up and the more persistent is the oscillation of the aerial.
1925 P. J. Risdon Crystal Receivers & Circuits 22 There is another form of coupling, known as loose-coupling, in which the aerial circuit and receiver couplet are quite separate.
1927 I. B. Crandall Theory Vibrating Syst. ii. 44 The effect of the elastic connection or ‘coupling’ between the two vibrating masses.
1948 P. M. Morse Vibration & Sound (ed. 2) ii. 59 Whenever the coupling is small and the frequencies of the two oscillators are not equal, the amplitude of one motion will be much larger than that of the other.
1953 E. G. Richardson Technical Aspects Sound I. xviii. 506 The reed is now coupled to a pipe resonator. In this case the coupling is loose and the vibration of the reed is predominant.
1959 B. I. Bleany & B. Bleaney Electr. & Magn. ix. 233 The coupling through the capacity decreases with frequency, because of the fall in the impedance common to the two circuits.
1962 J. H. Simpson & R. S. Richards Physical Princ. Junction Transistors xi. 244 One of the first decisions to be made in the design of a multi-stage amplifier involves the choice of the method of coupling between stages.
1968 H. J. Pain Physics of Vibrations & Waves iii. 56 A mechanical example of stiffness coupling between two pendulums.
(b) In atomic, nuclear, and particle physics: a physical interaction between two particles, between a particle and a field, or between two fields; spec. an interaction between the magnetic moments of the electrons in an atom. Also used of the combination of mathematical quantities (in quantum mechanics) which corresponds to the physical interactions.This was originally a use of the word in the preceding sense; the electrons in an atom were thought of as capable of vibrating, and the ‘coupling’ of their vibrations was used (by Voigt, 1913) to explain the Zeeman effect.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > decomposition of light, spectrum > [noun] > effect involving magnetic field > explanation of
coupling1913
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > electron spin > multiplet > [noun] > coupling
coupling1913
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > quantum mechanics > quantum electrodynamics > [noun] > coupling
coupling1950
1913 Chem. Abstr. 7 3268 (heading) Coupling theory of the Zeeman effect.
1922 Chem. Abstr. 16 3032 A comprehensive summary of the Voigt theory,..based essentially on the coupling, in the presence of an external magnetic field, of several electrons bound in a quasi-elastic manner.
1926 Chem. Abstr. 20 2449 To each electron within the atom 2 vectors can be assigned and the magnetic moments, multiplicities of levels and the anomalous Zeeman effect can be explained by the coupling of these vectors.
1929 Physical Rev. 2nd Ser. 34 26 In the normal, Russell-Saunders, or LS coupling scheme (l1l2) (s1s2) = (LS) = J... In the jj coupling scheme (l1s1) (l2s2) = (j1j2) = J.
1938 L. B. Loeb Atomic Struct. viii. 215 In very powerful magnetic fields..the atomic coupling breaks down and the individual elements s* and l* precess about the imposed outer field direction.
1950 W. Finkelnburg Atomic Physics v. 292 Because of the strong coupling between the nucleons, the excitation energy of the nucleus can distribute itself..over all the nucleons of the nucleus.
1955 S. S. Schweber et al. Mesons & Fields I. x. 108 We now turn to the discussion of interaction between fields, and in particular we treat first the coupling between a spinor and a Boson field.
1959 B. I. Bleany & B. Bleaney Electr. & Magn. xx. 552 The spin-orbit coupling between L and S..is primarily magnetic in origin, and arises from the magnetic moments of the orbit and the spin.
1966 C. S. G. Phillips & R. J. P. Williams Inorg. Chem. II. xxviii. 413 Spin-orbit coupling..tends to sustain orbital angular momentum by coupling it with spin angular momentum.
g. The recording that is on the reverse side or the remainder of a gramophone record; also, a gramophone record having recordings on both sides, esp. by the same performer or performers.
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society > communication > record > recording or reproducing sound or visual material > sound recording and reproduction > a sound recording > [noun] > record or disc > side
side1926
coupling1934
A-side1937
flip side1949
flip1960
B-side1962
1934 Gramophone Record Jan. 18/1 The new one..has been recorded by three famous singers... They have all excelled themselves so..your choice will have to be guided by the coupling.
1937 Amer. Speech 12 46/1 Coupling, a recording on which the same band plays selections on both sides.
1960 Guardian 12 Apr. 7/2 The coupling is the Andante Spianato.
1967 Listener 23 Feb. 273/3 Prokofiev's first two piano concertos are contrasted in almost every respect except that of their musical idiom, and so they make an excellent disc coupling.
7. Of a dog or other animal: see quot. 1881 (Cf. coupled adj. 3.)
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1881 V. Shaw Bk. Dog 38 Couplings, the length or space between the tops of the shoulder-blades and tops of the hip-joints, or huckle-bones. The term denotes the proportionate length of a dog, which is spoken of as short or long in the couplings.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
coupling flute n.
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1852 tr. J. J. Seidel Organ & its Constr. 92 Some call the gemshorn a coupling-flute.
coupling-ledge n.
ΚΠ
1852 tr. J. J. Seidel Organ & its Constr. 59 These ledges are called coupling-ledges..they are between the two parts of the slide.
C2.
coupling-box n. a metal box joining the ends of two shafts, so that they may revolve together.
ΚΠ
1814 R. Buchanan Pract. Ess. Mill-work iii. 17 Couplings which have no coupling-boxes are denominated clutches or glands.
coupling-chain n. the chain which couples railway carriages, trucks, etc.
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society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > railway wagon or carriage > coupling
coupling-chain1838
coupling1840
1838 N. Wood Pract. Treat. Rail-roads (ed. 3) 220 The coupling or dragging chains are fixed to these [springs].
1858 Mechanics' Mag. 69 281 It is well known how severely coupling chains suffer from..sudden jerks.
coupling coefficient n. a coefficient between 0 and 1 which represents the extent of ‘closeness’ of the coupling between two electrical circuits.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic phenomena > electronic circuit > [noun] > connection with mutual dependence > co-efficient representing extent of
coupling coefficient1922
1922 R. Glazebrook Dict. Appl. Physics II. 1035/2 k is the ‘coupling coefficient’, which is defined by k2 = M2/L1L2.
1962 J. H. Simpson & R. S. Richards Physical Princ. Junction Transistors xiv. 334 The coupling coefficient K, which indicates the extent to which the magnetic flux of one winding links the other, should be between 0·8 and 1· 0.
coupling constant n. any constant which represents the strength of the interaction between a particle and a field.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > decomposition of light, spectrum > [noun] > multiplets in atomic spectra > constant of
fine-structure constant1923
coupling constant1949
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > quantum mechanics > quantum electrodynamics > [noun] > coupling > constant of
coupling constant1949
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > electron spin > multiplet > [noun] > coupling > constant of
coupling constant1949
1949 Physical Rev. 2nd Ser. 76 783/2 Thus the pseudoscalar coupling constant should be chosen to fit nuclear forces including these important second order processes.
1968 M. S. Livingston Particle Physics ii. 26 The coupling constant used in such calculations..is also known in atomic physics as the fine structure constant.
1969 P. Marmier & E. Sheldon Physics of Nuclei & Particles I. iii. 55 In classifying the various possible types of interactions, their relative strengths can best be expressed through values of the respective dimensionless coupling constants.
coupling-link n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Coupling-link, an open or split link for connecting two objects, or forming a detachable section in a chain.
coupling-pin n. a pin used for coupling railway carriages, etc. (see also quot. 1874 for coupling-link n.).
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society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > pin or peg > other types of pin or peg
shackle-pin1446
corking-pin?1690
drawing pin1812
eye ring1836
pound pins1838
coupling-pin1874
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Coupling-pin (Vehicle), A bolt which fastens the hind hounds to the coupling-pole, which is attached to the fore-gears by the king-bolt.
1887 M. Roberts Western Avernus 239 He..fetches a coupling-pin (of iron, about one inch thick and ten inches long)..and lets drive at me.
coupling-pole n. the pole connecting the fore and hind gear of a wagon (cf. 6c).
ΚΠ
1852 Florida Plant. Rec. 64 I notice that they [= there] is noe way to alter the cupling Pole.
coupling-reins n. the reins that couple a pair of horses together.
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the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > harness of draught animal > for connecting animals
tugwithe?1523
coupling-strapa1732
incatenation1762
coupling-reins1795
ox-riem1817
trek-tow1822
butt chain1857
trek chain1878
jockey-stick1887
1795 W. Felton Treat. Carriages II. 158 The coupling reins, which are what both horses are checked by, so as to turn one way, being fastened from the rein of one horse to the bitt of the other.
1844 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit xxxvi. 419 The buckles of the leaders' coupling-reins.
coupling-rod n. the rod that couples the wheels of some locomotive engines.
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society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > coupling-rod connecting wheels
parallel rod1813
connecting rod1839
coupling-rod1869
coupling1874
coupler1879
1869 Eng. Mech. 19 Mar. 579/2 The coupling-rods..were made without brasses.
coupling-strap n. a strap for linking animals together, used esp. with restive horses running in pairs.
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the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > harness of draught animal > for connecting animals
tugwithe?1523
coupling-strapa1732
incatenation1762
coupling-reins1795
ox-riem1817
trek-tow1822
butt chain1857
trek chain1878
jockey-stick1887
a1732 J. Gay Pastorals iii Let hares and hounds in coupling-straps unite.
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Coupling-strap, a strap connected to the off bit-ring of the off horse, thence through the near bit-ring, and leading back to the harness of the near horse. Used with artillery horses, and for restive horses in ordinary service.
coupling-stroke n. the stroke joining the characters in a cursive hand.
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society > communication > writing > handwriting or style of > formation of letters > [noun] > stroke
linea1382
tittlec1384
stroke1567
minim1587
pot-hook1611
dash1615
hair-stroke1634
hook1668
foot stroke1676
stem1676
duct1699
hanger1738
downstroke?1760
hairline1846
up-stroke1848
skit1860
pot-crook1882
ligature1883
coupling-stroke1906
bow1914
ductus1922
ascender1934
1906 E. Johnston Writing & Illuminating iv. 73 The letters are joined together by means of their coupling-strokes.
1929 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 97/1 In the more cursive [hands] linking was carried further, both by the insertion of coupling strokes and by the writing of several letters continuously without raising the pen.
Draft additions December 2005
A pair, a couple; esp. two people in a romantic relationship.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > love affair > [noun] > pair of lovers
yleofa1000
ménagea1393
couple1393
twosomec1480
fleck and his make1529
coupling1961
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > pair > [noun]
pairc1300
couple1365
paira1382
gemels1382
pair1391
yokea1425
brace1430
binarya1464
match1542
twin1569
binity?1578
twoa1585
couplement1596
Gemini1602
couplet1604
twain1607
duad1660
dyad1675
duet1749
tway?a1800
doublet1816
two-group1901
two-grouping1901
coupling1961
1961 Times Recorder (Zanesville, Ohio) 17 Feb. a2/2 Marilyn Mixwell and Ron Gordon are a new coupling.
1972 Washington Post 15 Jan. c7/5 This marks the fourth time in less than one year they have been entered as a coupling in a Maryland stake. Sid Walters Jr. now conditions the two horses.
1994 Mixmag June 69/2 Nicky Holloway and Neil Houston do the honours on June 11th, Jon Pleased Wimmin and Paul Chiswick are the gorgeous coupling for June 18th.
2001 G. Sernovitz Great Amer. Plain ii. 74 Sure, she was familiar with hot-hot romance on big and small screens; she read magazines about celebrity couplings, vendettas, reunions.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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