couch

[[t]kaʊtʃ[/t]]

n.

1) fur a piece of upholstered furniture for seating usu. two to four people, typically having a back and an armrest at one or both ends

2) fur a long upholstered seat with a headrest at one end, on which a person reclines; lounge

3) fur a bed or other place of rest; any place used for repose

4) the lair of a wild beast

5) to arrange or frame (words, a sentence, etc.); express

6) to express indirectly or obscurely:

to couch a threat in pleasant words[/ex]

7) to lower or bend down, as the head

8) to lower (a spear, lance, etc.) to a horizontal position, as for attack

9) to put or lay down, as for rest or sleep; cause to lie down

10) to lie at rest or asleep; repose; recline

11) to crouch; bend; stoop

12) to lie in ambush or in hiding; lurk

13) to lie in a heap for decomposition or fermentation, as leaves

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Etymology: 1300–50; ME < AF, OF coucher, OF colcher < L collocāre to put into place = col- I+locāre to put, place; see locate