Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. a narrow bed on which a patient lies during psychiatric or psychoanalytic treatment
2. a flat coat of paint or varnish used by artists as a primer
3. an upholstered seat for more than one person

Verb

1. formulate in a particular style or language
   • I wouldn't put it that way
   • She cast her request in very polite language