couch
/kautʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A piece of furniture for seating multiple people: An upholstered seat, typically with a back and arms, designed to accommodate two or more people.
- A narrow bed for treatment: A bed, often without sides, on which a patient lies during a medical or psychiatric examination or treatment.
- A preparatory layer in art: A flat, initial coat of paint, varnish, or other material applied as a primer or base layer by an artist.
Verb:
- To express in a particular manner: To formulate or phrase a statement, thought, or request using specific words or a particular style.
- To lie down or recline: To lower the body into a position of rest, typically in a horizontal or semi-horizontal posture.
- To be in a hidden or ready position: To lie hidden or in a state of readiness, often in preparation for an action.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- We bought a new leather couch for the living room.
- The patient was asked to lie on the couch during the therapy session.
- The artist applied a couch of gesso to prepare the canvas.
Verb:
- He couched his criticism in very diplomatic terms.
- The lion couched in the tall grass, waiting for its prey.
- She couched herself on the sofa to read a book.
Advanced Usage
"to couch something in terms of...": To express or explain something using a specific framework or vocabulary.
- The proposal was couched in terms of economic benefits.
"a couch potato": (Idiomatic) A person who spends a great deal of time sitting or lying down, especially watching television.
- During the holidays, he turns into a complete couch potato.
Variants and Related Words
- Couchette (n): A simple sleeping berth on a train or ship.
- Couchant (adj): (Heraldry) Describing an animal lying down with its head raised.
Synonyms
- Noun (furniture): Sofa, settee, divan, davenport.
- Verb (express): Phrase, word, formulate, express, frame.
- Verb (lie down): Recline, lie, repose, stretch out.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Couch" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal uses are typically transitive or intransitive as shown above.)
Related Idioms
- "to couch one's lance": (Archaic) To lower a lance into a horizontal position for attack.
- The knight couched his lance and charged.
- "on the couch": Referring to undergoing psychoanalysis or therapy.
- He's been on the couch for months dealing with his anxiety.
Noun
- a narrow bed on which a patient lies during psychiatric or psychoanalytic treatment
- a flat coat of paint or varnish used by artists as a primer
- an upholstered seat for more than one person
Verb
- formulate in a particular style or language
- I wouldn't put it that way
- She cast her request in very polite language