Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COUP'LE, n. [kup'pl; Fr. couple; L. copula; It. Sp. id.; Arm. couble; D. koppel; G. kuppel; Sw. koppel; Dan. kobbel; Heb. כפל; Ch. id., and קפל, to double or fold; Syr. id.; Sam. to shut.]

1. Two of the same species or kind, and near in place, or considered together; as, a couple of men; a couple of oranges. I have planted a couple of cherry trees. We can not call a horse and an ox a couple, unless we add a generic term. Of a horse and ox feeding in a pasture, we should say, a couple of animals. Among huntsmen and soldiers, brace is used for couple; as, a brace of ducks; a brace of pistols. Couple differs from pair, which implies strictly, not only things of the same kind, but likeness, equality, or customary association. A pair is a couple; but a couple may or may not be a pair.
2. Two things of any kind connected or linked together.
3. A male and female connected by marriage, betrothed, or allied; as, a married couple; a young couple.
4. That which links or connects two things together; a chain.