coupling

Noun
Synonyms: yokecouplermatingpairingconjugationunionsexual union

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a connection (like a clamp or vise) between two things so they move togetherSynonyms: yoke
  2. a mechanical device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent objectsSynonyms: coupler
  3. 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”Synonyms: matingpairingconjugationunionsexual union
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Couple \Cou"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coupled (k[u^]p"'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Coupling (k[u^]p"l[i^]ng).] [F. coupler, fr. L. copulare. See Couple, n., and cf. Copulate, Cobble, v.] [1913 Webster]

1.To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join. [1913 Webster]

Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, . . . And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.To join in wedlock; to marry. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

A parson who couples all our beggars.— Swift.[1913 Webster]
Coupling \Coup"ling\ (-l?ng), n.

1.The act of bringing or coming together; connection; sexual union. [1913 Webster]

2.(Mach.) 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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

coupling

<programming, hardware> The degree to which components depend on one another. There are two types of coupling, "tight" and "loose". Loose coupling is desirable for good software engineering but tight coupling may be necessary for maximum performance. Coupling is increased when the data exchanged between components becomes larger or more complex.

(1996-08-01)

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