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couch

n. · v.
US //ˈkaʊtʃ// UK //kˈaʊtʃ// couch
  1. 1 furniture (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a long, soft seat for two or more people to sit on together.

    an upholstered piece of furniture designed for seating multiple people; synonymous with 'sofa' in most dialects.

    Example

    We all sat on the couch to watch a movie together on Saturday night.

    Example

    The living room featured a large velvet couch that served as the focal point for social gatherings and evening relaxation.
  2. 2 psychotherapy (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the place where a person sits or lies while talking to a therapist.

    used metonymically to refer to the process or setting of psychoanalysis or psychotherapy.

    Example

    He spent three years on the couch trying to understand his childhood.

    Example

    The patient's progress on the couch was slow, as he initially resisted the therapist's attempts to explore his recurring dreams.
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  1. 3 to phrase (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Academic

    to say or write something using specific words to create a certain effect.

    to express or frame a statement in a particular style or manner. Often used in the passive voice.

    Example

    The bad news was couched in very polite language so it didn't sound so harsh.

    Example

    The legal warnings were couched in such technical jargon that the average consumer could barely understand the risks involved.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice: 'to be couched in'.
  2. 4 to lower a weapon (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    to lower a spear or lance into a position ready for an attack.

    to lower a spear or lance to a horizontal position in preparation for a charge or attack.

    Example

    The knight couched his lance as he prepared to charge at his opponent.

    Example

    As the trumpet sounded, the heavy cavalry couched their lances in unison, creating a formidable wall of steel points.
  3. 5 embroidery (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Art

    to sew a piece of thread onto fabric using very small stitches.

    to attach a thread, cord, or other material onto the surface of a fabric using small, transverse stitches.

    Example

    She used gold thread and couched it onto the silk to make a beautiful pattern.

    Example

    The artisan carefully couched the heavy silver wire onto the ceremonial robe to create an intricate floral border.
Etymology 1

From Middle English couche, cowche, from Old French couche, from the verb (see below). Doublet of cwtch.

Etymology 2

From Middle English couchen, from Old French (se) couchier, (se) colchier (“go to bed, lay down”), from Latin collocāre (“set in place”), from com- (“together, with”) + locāre. Doublet of collocate.

Etymology 3

From a variant of quitch, from Middle English quich, quyke, from Old English cwice.

Idioms1 entry

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