couch (kouch)
n.

1. 1. A sofa.
   2. A sofa on which a patient lies while undergoing psychoanalysis or psychiatric treatment.
2. 1. The frame or floor on which grain, usually barley, is spread in malting.
   2. A layer of grain, usually barley, spread to germinate.
3. A priming coat of paint or varnish used in artistic painting.

v., couched, couch·ing, couch·es.

v.tr.

1. To word in a certain manner; phrase: couched their protests in diplomatic language.
2. To cause (oneself) to lie down, as for rest.
3. To embroider by laying thread flat on a surface and fastening it by stitches at regular intervals.
4. To spread (grain) on a couch to germinate, as in malting.
5. To lower (a spear, for example) to horizontal position, as for an attack.

v.intr.

1. To lie down; recline, as for rest.
2. To lie in ambush or concealment; lurk.
3. To be in a heap or pile, as leaves for decomposition or fermentation.

[Middle English couche, from Old French culche, couche, from couchier, to lay down, lie down, from Latin collocāre. See collocate.]

coucher couch'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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