COUPLING
coupling, mating, pairing, conjugation, union, sexual union
(noun) the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes; “the casual couplings of adolescents”; “the mating of some species occurs only in the spring”
coupling, coupler
(noun) a mechanical device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent objects
yoke, coupling
(noun) a connection (like a clamp or vise) between two things so they move together
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
coupling
present participle of couple
Noun
coupling (plural couplings)
act of joining together to form a couple
a device that couples two things together
(computing) the degree of reliance between two program modules
(electronics) a connection between two electronic circuits such that a signal can pass between them
(physics) The property of physical systems that they are interacting with each other
(sexuality) sexual intercourse
Synonyms
• (computing) dependency
Antonyms
• (computing) cohesion
Hyponyms
• capacitive coupling
• common coupling
• conductive coupling
• content coupling
• control coupling
• data coupling
• data-structured coupling
• external coupling
• global coupling
• inductive coupling
• low coupling
• loose coupling
• message coupling
• no coupling
• pathological coupling
• stamp coupling
• tight coupling
Source: Wiktionary
Coup"ling (-lng), n.
1. The act of bringing or coming together; connection; sexual union.
2. (Mach.)
Definition: A device or contrivance which serves to couple or connect
adjacent parts or objects; as, a belt coupling, which connects the
ends of a belt; a car coupling, which connects the cars in a train; a
shaft coupling, which connects the ends of shafts. Box coupling,
Chain coupling. See under Box, Chain.
– Coupling box, a coupling shaped like a journal box, for clamping
together the ends of two shafts, so that they may revolve together.
– Coupling pin, a pin or bolt used in coupling or joining together
railroad cars, etc.
COUPLE
Cou"ple (kp"'l), n. Etym: [F. couple, fr. L. copula a bond, band; co-
+ apere, aptum, ti 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"
Adduson. "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.)
Definition: See Couple-close.
5. (Elec.)
Definition: One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a
voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.
6. (Mech.)
Definition: Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but
opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around
parallel axes.
Note: The effect of a couple of forces is to produce a rotation. A
couple of rotations is equivalent to a motion of translation.
Cou"ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coupled (kp"'ld); p. pr. & vb. n.
Coupling (-lng).] Etym: [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.
Cou"ple, v. i.
Definition: To come together as male and female; to copulate. [Obs.]
Milton. Bacon.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition