7. To put into some form of language; to express; to phrase; -- used with in and under.
A well-couched invective.
Milton.
I had received a letter from Flora couched in rather cool terms.
Blackw. Mag.
8. (Med.) To treat by pushing down or displacing the opaque lens with a needle; as, to couch a cataract.
To couch a spear or lance, to lower to the position of attack; to place in rest.
He stooped his head, and couched his spear,
And spurred his steed to full career.
Sir W. Scott.
To couch malt, to spread malt on a floor. Mortimer.
Couch, v. i. 1. To lie down or recline, as on a bed or other place of rest; to repose; to lie.
Where souls do couch on flowers, we 'll hand in hand.
Shak.
If I court moe women, you 'll couch with moe men.
Shak.
2. To lie down for concealment; to hide; to be concealed; to be included or involved darkly.
We 'll couch in the castle ditch, till we see the light of our fairies.
Shak.
The half-hidden, hallf-revealed wonders, that yet couch beneath the words of the Scripture.
I. Taylor.
3. To bend the body, as in reverence, pain, labor, etc.; to stoop; to crouch. [Obs.]
An aged squire
That seemed to couch under his shield three-square.
Spenser.
Couch, n. [F. couche, OF. colche, culche, fr. colchier. See Couch, v. t. ] 1. A bed or place for repose or sleep; particularly, in the United States, a lounge.
Gentle sleep . . . why liest thou with the vile
In loathsome beds, and leavest the kingly couch?
Shak.
Like one that wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Bryant.