Main Entry: cop·u·late

Pronunciation: \ˈkäp-yə-ˌlāt\

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): cop·u·lat·ed; cop·u·lat·ing

1 : to engage in sexual intercourse
2 of gametes : to fuse permanently—compare conjugate 1

—cop·u·la·tion \ˌkäp-yə-ˈlā-shən\ noun

—cop·u·la·to·ry \ˈkäp-yə-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-\ adjective