ac·cou·ple·ment \əˈkəpəlmənt, aˈ-\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle French, from accoupler + -ment 1.: action of joining together : coupling < proposing an accouplement of the two great labor organizations — Edwin Lahey > 2.architecture: placement of two columns very close together or in contact 3.: something that couples (as a tie or brace)