couch

American  

[kouch, kooch] / kaʊtʃ, kutʃ /

noun

1. a piece of furniture for seating from two to four people, typically in the form of a bench with a back, sometimes having an armrest at one or each end, and partly or wholly upholstered and often fitted with springs, tailored cushions, skirts, etc.; sofa.

2. a similar article of furniture, with a headrest at one end, on which some patients of psychiatrists or psychoanalysts lie while undergoing treatment.

3. a bed or other place of rest; a lounge; any place used for repose.

4. the lair of a wild beast.

5. Brewing. the frame on which barley is spread to be malted.

6. Papermaking. the board or felt blanket on which wet pulp is laid for drying into paper sheets.

7. Fine Arts. a primer coat or layer, as of paint.

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verb (used with object)

1. to arrange or frame (words, a sentence, etc.); put into words; express.

   a simple request couched in respectful language.

2. to express indirectly or obscurely.

   the threat couched under his polite speech.

3. to lower or bend down, as the head.

4. to lower (a spear, lance, etc.) to a horizontal position, as for attack.

5. to put or lay down, as for rest or sleep; cause to lie down.

6. to lay or spread flat.

7. Papermaking. to transfer (a sheet of pulp) from the wire to the couch.

8. to embroider by couching.

9. Archaic. to hide; conceal.

verb (used without object)

1. to lie at rest or asleep; repose; recline.

2. to crouch; bend; stoop.

3. to lie in ambush or in hiding; lurk.

4. to lie in a heap for decomposition or fermentation, as leaves.

idioms

1. on the couch, undergoing psychiatric or psychoanalytic treatment.

couch British  

/ kaʊtʃ /

noun

1. a piece of upholstered furniture, usually having a back and armrests, for seating more than one person

2. a bed, esp one used in the daytime by the patients of a doctor or a psychoanalyst

3. a frame upon which barley is malted

4. a priming layer of paint or varnish, esp in a painting

5. papermaking

   1. a board on which sheets of handmade paper are dried by pressing

   2. a felt blanket onto which sheets of partly dried paper are transferred for further drying

   3. a roll on a papermaking machine from which the wet web of paper on the wire is transferred to the next section

6. archaic the lair of a wild animal

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verb

1. (tr) to express in a particular style of language

   couched in an archaic style

2. (when tr, usually reflexive or passive) to lie down or cause to lie down for or as for sleep

3. archaic (intr) to lie in ambush; lurk

4. (tr) to spread (barley) on a frame for malting

5. (intr) (of decomposing leaves) to lie in a heap or bed

6. (tr) to embroider or depict by couching

7. (tr) to lift (sheets of handmade paper) onto the board on which they will be dried

8. (tr) surgery to remove (a cataract) by downward displacement of the lens of the eye

9. archaic (tr) to lower (a lance) into a horizontal position

Other Word Forms

• coucher noun
• well-couched adjective

Etymology

Origin of couch

1300–50; (noun) Middle English couche < Anglo-French, Old French, derivative of coucher; (v.) Middle English couchen < Anglo-French, Old French coucher, Old French colcher < Latin collocāre to put into place, equivalent to col- col- ¹ + locāre to put, place; locate

Example Sentences

I was not even a little surprised at the stack of linens and clothes on the couch when I got home from my summer job at Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In.

From Literature

I made him as comfortable as I could on the couch with his pillow and blanket, and gave him the last of the Gravol I found in the medicine cabinet.

From Literature

Curl up on your couch with an overripe banana and forget you ever heard mention of this tale.

From Literature

A lot of the time, I would rather just sit on the couch and watch “Star Trek.”

From Los Angeles Times

And the shots of nature are very pretty indeed — the documentary might inspire you, once you’re done watching, or even sooner, to get off the couch and go into the world.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bed
• chair
• lounge