couple-close: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Heraldic
Quick answer
What does “couple-close” mean?
In heraldry, two narrow bars placed very close together on a shield.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In heraldry, two narrow bars placed very close together on a shield.
Rarely, it can metaphorically describe any pair of things in close proximity, but this usage is not standard.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; heraldic terminology is consistent across English varieties.
Connotations
Technical, historical, and specialized; no additional connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “couple-close” in a Sentence
NP be couple-closecouple-close of NPblazon NP as couple-closeVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Occasionally used in historical or heraldic academic writings.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Primarily used in heraldry and blazonry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “couple-close”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “couple-close”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “couple-close”
- Misspelling as 'couple close' without the hyphen.
- Using it as a verb, e.g., 'they couple-close'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In heraldry, it refers to two narrow bars placed very close together on a shield.
It is rarely used outside of heraldic or historical contexts.
In British English, it's pronounced /ˈkʌpəl kləʊs/, and in American English, /ˈkʌpəl kloʊs/.
No, it is primarily a noun and is not standardly used as a verb.
In heraldry, two narrow bars placed very close together on a shield.
Couple-close is usually technical/heraldic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a couple holding hands very closely, like two bars side by side on a shield.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOSENESS IS UNITY or PAIRING IS PROXIMITY
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'couple-close'?