couchant

[ kou-chuhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

lying down; crouching.
Heraldry. (of an animal) represented as lying on its stomach with its hind legs and forelegs pointed forward.

couchant

/ ˈkaʊtʃənt /

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French, present participle of coucher to lay or lie. See couch, -ant

C15: from French: lying, from Old French coucher to lay down; see couch

It has his effigy in armour, with an ermined mantle, his feet leaning against a lion couchant.

They saw the great cathedral lying couchant above the plain.

They are weak sops to our tame lion couchant offered in doubtful fear and trembling.

The two huge couchant lions at either end of the steps are of much later date than these.

Occasionally, as in the crest of Marwood, the ram will be found couchant.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse