Coucher

couch  (kouch)

n.

1.

a. A sofa.

b. A sofa on which a patient lies while undergoing psychoanalysis or psychiatric treatment.

2.

a. The frame or floor on which grain, usually barley, is spread in malting.

b. 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.

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[Middle English couche, from Old French culche, couche, from couchier, to lay down, lie down, from Latin collocre; see collocate.]

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coucher n.