Couple
/ˈkʌpəl/noun
A pair of people or things; also, to join or link two things together.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin *copula*, meaning a “bond” or “tie,” the same root behind the idea of grammar literally *binding* words together.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keup-
“To bend, curve, or form a hook-like connection”
Latin
Latin
copula
“A bond, tie, or link”
Late Latin
Latin
copulare
“To fasten, join, or yoke together”
Old French
Old French
couple
“A pair; two things joined together”
Middle English
English
couple
“Two people or things joined in a pair”
Modern English
English
couple
“A pair; especially two people in a romantic relationship”