Main Entry: ¹cou·ple

Pronunciation: \ˈkə-pəl; “couple of” is often ˌkə-plə(v)\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, pair, bond, from Anglo-French cuple, from Latin copula bond, from co- + apere to fasten — more at apt

Date: 13th century

1 a : two persons married, engaged, or otherwise romantically paired b : two persons paired together
2 : pair, brace
3 : something that joins or links two things together: as a : two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines b : a pair of substances that in contact with an electrolyte participate in a transfer of electrons which causes an electric current to flow
4 : an indefinite small number : few <a couple of days ago>

— cou·ple·dom \-dəm\ noun